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Ellipses (from the Greek *ellipsis*, meaning "omission") are a series of three or more periods (dots) used in writing to indicate an intentional omission of a word, phrase, or larger section of text. They are also used to create suspense, convey hesitation, or indicate trailing off in speech. In typography, ellipses are represented by three consecutive dots, though some styles may use four dots (three with a space between the first and second) for clarity, especially in academic or formal writing.

Ellipses are commonly used in literature, journalism, and academic writing to shorten quotes without altering their meaning. For example, if a sentence reads, "The meeting was scheduled for tomorrow," and only "scheduled for tomorrow" is needed, an ellipsis can replace the omitted words: "The... scheduled for tomorrow." This maintains the original context while condensing the text. In digital communication, ellipses often signal that a message or thought is incomplete, such as in texting or online forums.

In design and typography, ellipses serve functional and aesthetic purposes. They can guide the reader’s eye across a page, create visual rhythm, or indicate that content continues beyond the visible frame, such as in menus or interfaces. For instance, a button labeled "Options..." suggests additional choices are available. However, overuse or improper placement of ellipses can disrupt readability, so their application should be deliberate.

Ellipses differ from other punctuation marks like periods or commas in that they do not end a sentence or separate clauses. Instead, they indicate a pause or interruption in thought. Proper usage requires attention to surrounding punctuation; for example, an ellipsis following a question mark or exclamation mark should retain those marks before the ellipsis. In formal writing, spaces are often added around ellipses for clarity, though this varies by style guide.