graphic

¹graph·ic

adjective \ˈgra-fik\

Definition of GRAPHIC

1

a : of or relating to the pictorial arts; also : pictorial

b : of, relating to, or involving such reproductive methods as those of engraving, etching, lithography, photography, serigraphy, and woodcut

c : of or relating to the art of printing

d : relating or according to graphics

2

: formed by writing, drawing, or engraving

3

usually graphic

a : marked by clear lifelike or vividly realistic description

b : vividly or plainly shown or described <a graphic sex scene>

4

usually graphical : of, relating to, or represented by a graph

5

: of or relating to the written or printed word or the symbols or devices used in writing or printing to represent sound or convey meaning

— graph·i·cal·ly \-fi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— graph·ic·ness \-fik-nəs\ noun

Variants of GRAPHIC

graph·ic also graph·i·cal \-fi-kəl\

Examples of GRAPHIC

1. <the report offered many graphic details about the devastating earthquake that rocked the area>
2. <got a degree in graphic design>

Origin of GRAPHIC

Latin graphicus, from Greek graphikos, from graphein

First Known Use: 1637

Related to GRAPHIC

Synonyms

delineated, pictorial, picturesque, visual, vivid

Related Words

depicted, descriptive, expressive; concrete, explicit, specific; faithful, lifelike, natural, photographic, realistic; fresh, incisive, sharp

Near Antonyms

indeterminate, nebulous, obscure, sketchy, unclear, vague; bleary, blurry, dark, dim, faint, foggy, fuzzy, hazy, indefinite, indistinct, indistinguishable, muddy, murky, shadowlike, shadowy; ambiguous, cryptic, dark, enigmatic (also enigmatical), equivocal, inscrutable, mysterious

Synonym Discussion of GRAPHIC

graphic, vivid, picturesque mean giving a clear visual impression in words. graphic stresses the evoking of a clear lifelike picture <a graphic account of combat>. vivid suggests an impressing on the mind of the vigorous aliveness of something <a vivid re-creation of an exciting event>. picturesque suggests the presentation of a striking or effective picture composed of features notable for their distinctness and charm <a picturesque account of his travels>.

Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato

Rhymes with GRAPHIC

maffick, sapphic, traffic

²graphic

noun

Definition of GRAPHIC

1

a : a product of graphic art

b plural : the graphic media

2

a : a graphic representation (as a picture, map, or graph) used especially for illustration

b : a pictorial image displayed on a computer screen <the program's graphics are impressive>

c plural but sing or plural in constr : the art or science of drawing a representation of an object on a two-dimensional surface according to mathematical rules of projection

3

plural but sing or plural in constr : the process whereby a computer displays graphics

4

: a printed message superimposed on a television picture

Examples of GRAPHIC

1. She illustrated her talk with a graphic showing state population growth.
2. <the use of graphics in the text of the dictionary helps to break up the visual monotony of the page>

First Known Use of GRAPHIC

1944

Related to GRAPHIC

Synonyms

diagram, figure, illustration, plate, visual

Related Words

art, artwork; drawing, illumination, image, pictogram, pictograph, picture; caption, key, legend; inset; depiction, pictorialization, portrait, portrayal, representation; clarification, elucidation, explanation, explication, exposition

Rhymes with GRAPHIC

sapphic, traffic