alt text

noun

A text caption, associated with an image or other element, that is rendered if the usual content cannot be rendered.

“Screenreaders for the blind read out the alt text when they encounter an image on a Web page.”

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Meanings

nounalt text (countable and uncountable, plural alt texts)

plural alt texts

  1. InternetcountableuncountableA text caption, associated with an image or other element, that is rendered if the usual content cannot be rendered.

    Screenreaders for the blind read out the alt text when they encounter an image on a Web page.

Origin

Short for alternative text. It is represented in HTML by the alt attribute.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

alt text. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/alt%20text

MLA

“alt text.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/alt%20text. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “alt text,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/alt%20text.

Source: alt text on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.