variants
or less commonly graphical
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 see also graphic design
d
often graphical mathematics
: relating or according to graphics (see graphic entry 2 sense 3b)
a graphical/graphic representation of a cube
e
often graphical
: relating to or consisting of images or video displayed on the screen of a computer or other digital device
a graphical interface
Users can record a computer screen, import graphic elements, … and export … videos …—
boingboing.net
boingboing.net2
: formed by writing, drawing, or engraving
graphic inscriptions
3
usually graphic
a
: vividly or plainly shown or described
a graphic sex scene
b
: using offensive or obscene words : including swear words
… used graphic language on camera and then abruptly ended the impromptu press conference. The vulgarity made headlines.—Michael Martinez
Michael Martinez
c
: marked by clear lifelike or vividly realistic description
… its most graphic and beautiful stanzas …—John Livingston Lowes
John Livingston Lowes4
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
the graphic symbols of the ancient Egyptians
plural graphics
1
a
: a product of graphic art
b
graphics plural
: the graphic media
2
a
: a graphic representation (such as a picture, map, or graph) used especially for illustration
His presentation included a number of informational graphics.
b
: a pictorial image created by a computer for display on the screen of a digital device
The video game's graphics are impressive.
—sometimes used before another nounthe laptop's graphics card
c
: a message, image, etc. superimposed on a video
Tabloid topics, sexy footage, … graphics, hold the analysis: television news plays like The International Enquirer staged by MTV.—Richard Corliss
compare chyron
Richard Corliss3
a
graphics plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: the process whereby a computer displays graphics
b
graphics plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: the art or science of drawing a representation of an object on a two-dimensional surface according to mathematical rules of projection
variants
or -graphical
: written or transmitted in a (specified) way
stylographic
telegraphic
Synonyms
Examples of graphic in a Sentence
Adjective
the report offered many graphic details about the devastating earthquake that rocked the area
got a degree in graphic design
Noun
She illustrated her talk with a graphic showing state population growth.
the use of graphics in the text of the dictionary helps to break up the visual monotony of the page
Recent Examples on the WebMatt Donnelly, Variety, 18 May 2024
The prosecutors showed jurors graphic police body-camera video of DePape bludgeoning Paul Pelosi, then 82, fracturing his skull and seriously injuring his right arm and left hand.
—Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2024
The luxe-looking find is ideal for all occasions: Pair it with a casual sweater or graphic tee for daytime, or style it with a strappy camisole, cropped cardigan, and pair of wedges in the evening.
—Jennifer Chan, Peoplemag, 17 May 2024
On this fun graphic tee for adults, parents Bandit and Chili are depicted lounging in a hammock with fun beverages served in coconuts.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 15 May 2024
To resurrect tourism in the city and around New York State, the state hired Wells Rich Greene and the graphic designer Milton Glaser, who devised the heart logo to go with the campaign’s catchphrase.
—Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 11 May 2024
But, while Callas was synonymous with graphic eyeliner and a strong brow, James’s glam team—hairstylist Halley Brisker and makeup artist Valeria Ferreira—went for a cleaner, softer look for the Met’s green carpet.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 7 May 2024
The spot hosts graphic artists, author signings and food trucks, and partners with other local businesses to offer customers discounts.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2024
This alphabetical collection of essays, written by Elizabeth Kolbert and vividly illustrated by graphic artist Wesley Allsbrook, gives a primer of sorts on key climate topics, from green concrete to electrification to international treaties, one for each letter of the alphabet.
—Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Apr. 2024
Charlie Vargas, Orange County Register, 18 May 2024
The single comes after Megan dropped a Megan Monday freestyle on Instagram this week and earlier teased the new song with a series of graphics akin to retro combat games like Street Fighter.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2024
This configuration comes with an Intel Celeron CPU, Intel UHD graphics, 4GB of memory and 64GB of eMMC internal storage.
—K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 10 May 2024
This may encompass blog posts, social media graphics, content calendars, email newsletters, or video sizzle reels focused on summer activities, travel, fashion, or outdoor experiences.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 8 May 2024
But the movie may be remembered more for the controversy surrounding its use of cutaway graphics created by generative artificial intelligence tools.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
The tool provides sleek graphics of all election races, and allows users to filter by type of ballot and even drill right down to precinct level to see an image of every single one of the ballots counted.
—David Gilbert, WIRED, 7 May 2024
Now, Campos works with his best friend and fellow South Gate resident Jeffrey Aceves, 13, to create graphics, oversee the soundboard and perform other tasks associated with the school’s daily news broadcast.
—Tina Vasquez, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2024
CPUs are the brain of a computer, while GPUs are designed to boost the quality of computer graphics.
—Laura Bratton, Quartz, 7 May 2024
Adjective
The film was not for the faint of stomach, with several graphic, gory scenes — but Lanthimos’ absurdist humor ensured there was also a good amount of laughter from the crowd.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 18 May 2024
The prosecutors showed jurors graphic police body-camera video of DePape bludgeoning Paul Pelosi, then 82, fracturing his skull and seriously injuring his right arm and left hand.
—Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2024
The luxe-looking find is ideal for all occasions: Pair it with a casual sweater or graphic tee for daytime, or style it with a strappy camisole, cropped cardigan, and pair of wedges in the evening.
—Jennifer Chan, Peoplemag, 17 May 2024
On this fun graphic tee for adults, parents Bandit and Chili are depicted lounging in a hammock with fun beverages served in coconuts.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 15 May 2024
To resurrect tourism in the city and around New York State, the state hired Wells Rich Greene and the graphic designer Milton Glaser, who devised the heart logo to go with the campaign’s catchphrase.
—Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 11 May 2024
But, while Callas was synonymous with graphic eyeliner and a strong brow, James’s glam team—hairstylist Halley Brisker and makeup artist Valeria Ferreira—went for a cleaner, softer look for the Met’s green carpet.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 7 May 2024
The spot hosts graphic artists, author signings and food trucks, and partners with other local businesses to offer customers discounts.
—Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2024
This alphabetical collection of essays, written by Elizabeth Kolbert and vividly illustrated by graphic artist Wesley Allsbrook, gives a primer of sorts on key climate topics, from green concrete to electrification to international treaties, one for each letter of the alphabet.
—Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Apr. 2024
Noun
The group’s mission as a nonprofit is to promote Latin eateries and get customers in their establishments by creating promotional graphics, special menus, and social media campaigns to prepare them for this week.
—Charlie Vargas, Orange County Register, 18 May 2024
The single comes after Megan dropped a Megan Monday freestyle on Instagram this week and earlier teased the new song with a series of graphics akin to retro combat games like Street Fighter.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2024
This configuration comes with an Intel Celeron CPU, Intel UHD graphics, 4GB of memory and 64GB of eMMC internal storage.
—K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 10 May 2024
This may encompass blog posts, social media graphics, content calendars, email newsletters, or video sizzle reels focused on summer activities, travel, fashion, or outdoor experiences.
—Ebony Flake, Essence, 8 May 2024
But the movie may be remembered more for the controversy surrounding its use of cutaway graphics created by generative artificial intelligence tools.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
The tool provides sleek graphics of all election races, and allows users to filter by type of ballot and even drill right down to precinct level to see an image of every single one of the ballots counted.
—David Gilbert, WIRED, 7 May 2024
Now, Campos works with his best friend and fellow South Gate resident Jeffrey Aceves, 13, to create graphics, oversee the soundboard and perform other tasks associated with the school’s daily news broadcast.
—Tina Vasquez, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2024
CPUs are the brain of a computer, while GPUs are designed to boost the quality of computer graphics.
—Laura Bratton, Quartz, 7 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'graphic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near graphic
Cite this Entry
“Graphic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graphic. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
graphic
1 of 2 adjective
graph·ic
ˈgraf-ik 
variants
also graphical
1
: of, relating to, or being arts such as painting, engraving, printing, or photography
2
: of, relating to, or represented by a graph
3
: clearly and impressively told or described
graphic
2 of 2 noun1
: a picture, map, or graph used for illustration
2
plural
: a display (as of pictures or graphs) generated by a computer on a screen, printer, or plotter
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