Texture vs Textures

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Texture

Top 2,000 (common)C1noun

Textures

Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Texture
 TextureTextures
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈtekstʃə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtekstʃər/"]/🇬🇧 //ˈtɛkstʃəz//🇺🇸 //ˈtɛkstʃərz//
MeaningThe feel or look of a surface or material.The way something feels or looks on its surface.
ExampleThe texture of the fabric is smooth and silky to the touch.The artist used various textures to create depth in the painting.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 5,000 (fairly common)
CEFR levelC1-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsdense, firm, thick, have, feel, add, in texture, with a… texture, dense, firm, thick, have, feel, add, in texture, with a… texture, dense, firm, thick, have, feel, add, in texture, with a… texturerich textures, smooth textures, varied textures, natural textures, visual textures
Antonymssmoothness, uniformity-
Common mistakesConfused with 'structure' - they have different meanings., Omitting the object, saying only 'texture' instead of 'the texture of...', Using 'textured' incorrectly as an adjective instead of a noun.Confused with 'textures' in singular form, forgetting it's a plural noun., Overusing in contexts where 'patterns' or 'colors' may be more suitable.
Usage notesUsed when describing surfaces, materials, or the quality of an artistic piece. Avoid using in overly formal contexts.Used to describe surfaces in art, design, and nature. Appropriate in both casual and formal contexts.

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Textures

Frequently asked questions: Texture vs Textures

What's the difference between Texture and Textures?

Texture: The feel or look of a surface or material. Textures: The way something feels or looks on its surface.

Which is more common: Texture and Textures?

Texture is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Texture: The texture of the fabric is smooth and silky to the touch. Textures: The artist used various textures to create depth in the painting.

Can I use Texture and Textures interchangeably?

Not always. Texture and Textures are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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