graphic

1 of 3

adjective

graph·​ic ˈgra-fik 

variants or less commonly graphical

ˈgra-fi-kəl 

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

2

: 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

c

: marked by clear lifelike or vividly realistic description

… its most graphic and beautiful stanzas …

—John Livingston Lowes

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

the graphic symbols of the ancient Egyptians

graphically

ˈgra-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

graphicness

ˈgra-fik-nəs 

noun

graphic

2 of 3

noun

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 noun

the 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

3

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

-graphic

3 of 3

adjective combining form

variants or -graphical

: written or transmitted in a (specified) way

stylographic

telegraphic

Synonyms

Adjective

• delineated
• pictorial
• picturesque
• visual
• vivid

Noun

• diagram
• figure
• illustration
• plate
• visual

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 Web

Adjective

Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. —Aaron Gettinger, arkansasonline.com, 12 Apr. 2024

Organized loosely chronologically, the installation reveals not only Kollwitz’s technical and graphic excellence, but also her unrelenting compassion and humanity. —Grace Edquist, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2024

And if the violence is quite frequent and exquisitely graphic? —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024

Ballerini kept the outfit changes coming with a graphic two-piece set next. —Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024

His stories were sometimes graphic—people dying prematurely, or dying in tremendous pain—but always tinged with a lightness and humor. —Christopher Fiorello, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2024

As the graphic above shows, the eclipse will begin in the Midwest at 12:37 p.m. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2024

The clothing pieces reflected his own style with similar graphic T-shirts with the signature astronaut sprawled on them. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 5 Apr. 2024

The masterclass kicked off a new exhibition at Paris’ Cinematheque Française that positions Cameron as a graphic artist who draws inspiration from his own subconscious. —Ben Croll, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024

Noun

Call Her Daddy followers also clocked Siwa wearing a muscle tank top with a graphic of her own face on it. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024

According to a graphic shared on Facebook, 334 Ball State geese received names as a result of this fundraiser. —Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Apr. 2024

According to an Instagram post from UC's Office of Trademarks and Licensing, a College of Arts and Sciences graduate designed the bags, featuring graphics of UC's campus and Nippert Stadium. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 10 Apr. 2024

Arizona would see a 60% to 65% partial eclipse that peaked around 11:20 a.m., according to a NASA graphic provided by USA Today. —The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024

Check out our graphic for the best time to see the eclipse in the capital city. —Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 6 Apr. 2024

Use of graphics and animation creates an engaging experience. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

How the last 20 years of Sierra snowpack stack up, in one graphic. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024

The former includes two DirectX 12 gaming simulations from UL's 3DMark, Night Raid (more modest, suitable for systems with integrated graphics) and Time Spy (more demanding, suitable for gaming rigs with discrete GPUs). —PCMAG, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Latin graphicus, from Greek graphikos, from graphein

Adjective combining form

Late Latin -graphicus, from Greek -graphikos, from graphikos

First Known Use

Adjective

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 3c

Noun

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 3b

Phrases Containing graphic

• graphic design
• graphic arts
• graphic equalizer
• graphic novel

Kids Definition

graphic

1 of 2 adjective

graph·​ic ˈgraf-ik 

variants also graphical

-i-kəl 

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

graphically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

graphic

2 of 2 noun

1

: 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