speech bubble
Comic panel text
A speech bubble is an oval or rounded shape in comics and cartoons that contains a character's spoken words, with a tail pointing to the speaker.
Thought bubbles use a cloud-like shape with smaller circles as a tail.
The convention extends to texting icons, memes, and any visual format showing dialogue: Add a speech bubble to make the dog look like it's talking.
Inflatable rubber sac
- word balloonComic panel dialogue container
- thought balloonComic's mental speech indicator
- captionText accompanying an image
- panelDistinct flat section
manga · graphic novel · tail · pointer · callout · onomatopoeia · lettering · dialogue box
Pictorial screen symbol
- tooltipHover-activated explanatory popup
- calloutPublic accusation or summons
- overlayCovering placed atop
- popupSuddenly appearing window
notification badge · annotation · hover text · dialogue box · indicator · prompt · avatar · Siri
Spoken exchange between parties
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- utteranceSpoken expression aloud
- statementExpressed claim or fact
quotation · remark · interjection · exclamation · announcement · declaration · vocalization · expression
Informal verbal exchange
- textingSending typed mobile messages
- SMSMobile text protocol
- emojiDigital pictograph for messaging
- notificationFormal notice given
typing indicator · direct message · reply · send · compose · inbox · conversation · sticker
Comic's mental speech indicator
- inner monologueUnspoken personal narration
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- daydreamConscious fantasy while awake
- ideaMental formation
imagination · pondering · contemplation · aside · internal dialogue · stream of consciousness · musing · reverie
balloon
Inflatable rubber sac
- word balloonComic panel dialogue container
- thought balloonComic's mental speech indicator
- captionText accompanying an image
panel · manga · graphic novel · tail · pointer · callout · onomatopoeia · lettering · dialogue box · strip
icon
Pictorial screen symbol
- tooltipHover-activated explanatory popup
- calloutPublic accusation or summons
- overlayCovering placed atop
popup · notification badge · annotation · hover text · dialogue box · indicator · prompt · avatar · Siri · Alexa
dialogue
Spoken exchange between parties
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- utteranceSpoken expression aloud
statement · quotation · remark · interjection · exclamation · announcement · declaration · vocalization · expression · turn-taking
chat
Informal verbal exchange
notification · typing indicator · direct message · reply · send · compose · inbox · conversation · sticker · reaction
thought balloon
Comic's mental speech indicator
- inner monologueUnspoken personal narration
- reflectionReturned light or thought
- daydreamConscious fantasy while awake
idea · imagination · pondering · contemplation · aside · internal dialogue · stream of consciousness · musing · reverie
- cartoon visualsaction lines, pow, bam, zap, kapow
- comic elementsword balloon, dialogue box, scalloped edge, inner monologue, mental image
- Webcomicwebtoon, panel, strip, longform, archive
- comicscomic books, comic book, comic strip, comic art, comic panel
- photo booth propsglasses, mustache, hat, wig, feather boa
- comic book itemscape, mask, shield, hammer, utility belt
speech bubblesilence
Total lack of sound
no talking · stillness · muteness · speechlessness · wordlessness
speech, bubble, speaker, spoken, bubbly, babble, bubbles, speechless, speaking