HTML <dfn> Tag

Definition and Usage

<dfn> The tag represents a 'definition element' used to specify terms to be defined in the content.

<dfn> The nearest parent tag of the tag must also contain the definition/explanation of the term.

<dfn> The term within the tag can be any of the following:

1. That is <dfn> Content of the element:

<p><dfn>HTML</dfn> is the standard markup language used to create web pages.</p>

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2. Or add title Attribute:

<p><dfn title="HyperText Markup Language">HTML</dfn> is a standard markup language used to create web pages.</p>

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3. Or in <dfn> Used within an element <abbr> Tag:

<p><dfn><abbr title="HyperText Markup Language">HTML</abbr></dfn> is a standard markup language used to create web pages.</p>

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4. Or add id Attributes. Then, whenever a term is used, <a> Reference back to definition:

<p><dfn id="html-def">HTML</dfn> is a standard markup language used to create web pages.</p>
<p>Here is some text...</p>
<p>Here is some text...</p>
<p>Learn <a href="#html-def">HTML</a> now.</p>

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See also:

HTML Tutorial:HTML Reference Element

HTML DOM Reference Manual:DFN Object

Example

Mark a term with <dfn> tag:

<p><dfn>HTML</dfn> is the standard markup language used to create web pages.</p>

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Global Attributes

<dfn> The tag also supports Global Attributes in HTML.

Event Attributes

<dfn> The tag also supports Event Attributes in HTML.

Default CSS Settings

Most browsers will display the following default values <dfn> Element:

dfn {
  font-style: italic;
}

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Browser Support

Chrome Edge Firefox Safari Opera
Chrome Edge Firefox Safari Opera
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