What does wysiwyg mean?
Wysiwyg is a computing term meaning “what you see is what you get.” It describes a display or editing system in which text, images, and other content appear approximately as they will in the final printed or digital result. In a WYSIWYG editor, a user can select text and apply formatting through visible controls rather than writing markup or programming instructions. The term is especially associated with word processors, publishing software, and web-page editors, and it conveys the practical idea of editing the final-looking result directly. It is often used informally and may be capitalized because the word is an initialism. In practice, “what you see” is an approximation: differences in fonts, screen resolution, paper size, or printer settings can cause the final output to differ slightly. The expression remains useful because it succinctly distinguishes visually direct editing from systems based on codes, commands, or markup.
adjectiveIn computing, relating to a display or editing system that presents content as it will appear in the final output, allowing formatting to be applied directly to the displayed result.
- Adjective: Of or relating to a display or editing system that presents content in its final-looking form so that it can be formatted directly rather than through codes or markup.
"The publishing app includes a WYSIWYG editor for designing the newsletter without writing code."
"She used the WYSIWYG interface to arrange the photographs and add captions."
"For beginners, a WYSIWYG word processor is usually easier to use than a markup-based system."
The screen shows what you get—unless the printer has other plans.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of wysiwyg
Wysiwyg is an initialism formed from the phrase “what you see is what you get,” a wording whose underlying sense is older than its technical application. The term became established in the late twentieth century as word processors began displaying formatted text directly on screens. Its element “see” belongs to the Latin videre word family, which also produced English forms such as sight, vision, and visible.
How wysiwyg is actually used
Usually written as an initialism, commonly in capital letters. It is widespread in computing but remains informal and technical, and it may be used ironically when a display does not accurately represent the final output.