Standard Lemma guide

intertextuality

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The idea that a given text is a response to what has already been written, be it explicit or implicit.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • When one studies the intertextuality of "Hamlet", one realises that William Shakespeare must have read thousands of books.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The reference to another separate and distinct text within a text.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Borrowed from French intertextualité.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: تَنَاص (tanāṣ) — the idea that a given text is a response to what has already been written
  • Arabic: تَعالُق النَّصِّي (taʕāluq an-naṣṣī) — the idea that a given text is a response to what has already been written
  • Basque: testuartekotasun — the idea that a given text is a response to what has already been written
  • French: intertextualité — the idea that a given text is a response to what has already been written
  • German: Intertextualität — the idea that a given text is a response to what has already been written
  • Polish: intertekstualność — the idea that a given text is a response to what has already been written
  • Spanish: intertextualidad — the idea that a given text is a response to what has already been written
  • Arabic: تَنَاص (tanāṣ) — references among texts
  • Arabic: تَعالُق النَّصِّي (taʕāluq an-naṣṣī) — references among texts
  • Danish: intertekstualitet — references among texts
  • Polish: intertekstualność — references among texts
Real reading context

intertextuality in complete knowledge articles

Anxious Pleasures Literature & books · Advanced · 1 uses