If you’ve ever seen text with a line running through it—like this—you’ve seen a strikethrough. This formatting style is widely used in documents, websites, social media posts, messaging apps, and collaborative editing tools.
The strikethrough meaning depends on context. In professional editing, it often indicates that text should be removed. In digital communication, it can be used for humor, sarcasm, self-correction, or to show a change of mind. On task lists, it usually marks something as completed.
Because strikethrough allows readers to see both the original text and the revision, it has become a useful tool for writers, editors, students, and social media users alike.
In this guide, you’ll learn what strikethrough means, how it’s used, and why it has become so popular online.
Quick Answer
Strikethrough is a text formatting style where a horizontal line is drawn through the middle of a word, phrase, or sentence. It is commonly used to show deleted text, corrections, edits, completed tasks, or humorous thoughts that the writer wants readers to see but not treat as active text.
What Does “Strikethrough” Meaning?
Quick Definition
Strikethrough is text that has a line drawn through its center to indicate deletion, revision, completion, or intentional emphasis.
What It Looks Like
Example:
- Normal text
Strikethrough text
The original words remain visible, but the line signals that the text should be interpreted differently.
What It Usually Means
Depending on the context, strikethrough can indicate:
- Deleted text
- Corrected information
- Completed tasks
- Jokes or sarcasm
- A change of opinion
What Tone Does It Convey?
Strikethrough can be:
- Neutral
- Professional
- Humorous
- Sarcastic
- Self-aware
The meaning comes from how it is used.
What Does Strikethrough Mean in Different Contexts?
Document Editing
Editors often use strikethrough to show text that should be removed.
Example:
The meeting will be held on
MondayTuesday.
This allows readers to see the revision.
To-Do Lists
Strikethrough commonly marks completed tasks.
Example:
Buy groceries- Finish homework
- Call the dentist
The crossed-out item indicates completion.
Social Media
Users often employ strikethrough for humor or sarcasm.
Example:
I was definitely going to start exercising today.
Definitely.
Messaging Apps
People use strikethrough to correct themselves without fully deleting what they originally wrote.
Example:
I’ll be there at 8 PM.
7 PM8 PM.
Online Forums and Blogs
Writers sometimes use strikethrough to show updated information while preserving the original text.
How People Actually Use Strikethrough
Showing Corrections
Instead of deleting a mistake, people strike it out.
Example:
The event starts on
FridaySaturday.
Marking Completed Work
Many productivity apps use strikethrough for finished tasks.
Example:
Submit project report
Adding Humor
Writers sometimes reveal a thought and then humorously “cross it out.”
Example:
My favorite coworker is
my bosseveryone equally.
Creating Sarcasm
Social media users frequently use strikethrough to suggest irony.
Example:
This meeting could have been an email.
What a productive use of time.
Origin and History of Strikethrough
Traditional Editing
Long before computers, editors and proofreaders manually crossed out text they wanted removed.
Typewriters and Printing
Strikethrough became a recognized editing mark in publishing and document preparation.
Digital Adoption
Modern software such as:
- Microsoft Word
- Google Docs
- Notion
- Slack
- Discord
includes strikethrough as a standard formatting option.
Social Media Evolution
Online users expanded its purpose beyond editing to include humor, commentary, and self-correction.
Real Examples of Strikethrough Usage
Example 1
Original:
The deadline is
June 10June 15.
Meaning: The date was updated.
Example 2
Task List:
Pay electricity bill
Meaning: The task is completed.
Example 3
Social Media Post:
I’m totally prepared for this exam.
I’m not prepared at all.
Meaning: Humor and self-deprecation.
Example 4
Text Message:
Let’s meet at
67 PM.
Meaning: The time was corrected.
Example 5
Workplace Document:
Remove the
old pricing sectionbefore publication.
Meaning: The content should be deleted.
Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings
Mistake 1: Assuming It Always Means Deletion
While strikethrough often indicates removal, it can also signal humor, updates, or completion.
Mistake 2: Overusing It
Too much strikethrough can make text difficult to read.
Mistake 3: Confusing It With Underlining
Underlining emphasizes text.
Strikethrough typically indicates change, deletion, or irony.
Mistake 4: Using It in Formal Documents Unnecessarily
In final published documents, removed text is often deleted completely rather than shown with strikethrough.
Similar Formatting Styles
| Formatting | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Strikethrough | Deletion or revision | |
| Bold | Emphasis | Text |
| Italics | Stress or titles | Text |
| Underline | Highlighting | Text |
| Highlight | Draw attention | Marked text |
| Superscript | Footnotes/exponents | Text¹ |
| Subscript | Scientific notation | H₂O |
| Redline | Editing changes | Revision markup |
| Track Changes | Collaborative editing | Document revisions |
| Cross-out | Manual deletion | Handwritten edits |
Is Strikethrough Positive, Negative, or Neutral?
Neutral Meaning
Most of the time, strikethrough is simply a formatting tool.
Positive Meaning
It can indicate achievement when marking completed tasks.
Example:
Finish presentation
Negative Meaning
It may suggest something was removed, canceled, or rejected.
Humorous Meaning
Online users frequently use strikethrough for jokes and sarcasm.
Should You Use Strikethrough?
Use It If
- Showing edits
- Marking completed tasks
- Correcting information
- Adding humor online
Examples
- “
MondayTuesday” - “
Buy milk“ - “
Great ideaMaybe not.”
Avoid It If
- Clarity is more important than showing changes
- The document is a final published version
- Excessive formatting hurts readability
Frequently Asked Questions
What does strikethrough mean?
Strikethrough is text with a line through it that usually indicates deletion, correction, completion, or humor.
Why do people use strikethrough?
People use it to show edits, completed tasks, updates, sarcasm, or crossed-out thoughts.
What does strikethrough mean on social media?
It often indicates humor, irony, self-correction, or a joking change of opinion.
Does strikethrough mean deleted?
Often yes, but not always. It can have several meanings depending on context.
How do you create strikethrough text?
Most word processors and apps include a strikethrough formatting option. Some platforms also support markdown-style commands.
What is the difference between strikethrough and underline?
Underline emphasizes text, while strikethrough usually indicates deletion, revision, or irony.
Why is strikethrough used in to-do lists?
It visually shows that a task has been completed.
Is strikethrough professional?
Yes, especially during editing and document review processes.
Can strikethrough be used for humor?
Absolutely. Many social media users employ it to create sarcasm or reveal hidden thoughts.
Is strikethrough still commonly used?
Yes. It remains a standard feature in modern writing, editing, and digital communication tools.
Conclusion
The strikethrough meaning is simple yet versatile: it places a line through text to indicate deletion, correction, completion, or a change in meaning. What began as an editing tool has evolved into a common feature of online communication, productivity apps, and social media.
Whether you’re revising a document, crossing off a completed task, or making a sarcastic joke online, strikethrough helps communicate changes while keeping the original text visible. Its flexibility is one reason it remains one of the most useful formatting styles in modern writing.
What’s the most common way you use strikethrough—editing, task management, or social media humor?
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