cryptogram

noun

cryp·​to·​gram ˈkrip-tə-ˌgram 

1

: a communication in cipher or code

2

: a figure or representation having a hidden significance

Examples of cryptogram in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After the reveal of Miller’s name in the cryptogram, what are some of the other holy cow moments for you in the investigation? — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2026

Of course, most of the action over at Vula centered around the Beware Advantage that Sai located, which led to a cryptogram puzzle involving animals, colors, letters, and the butt doctor’s unscrambling skills. — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025

The Swiss judiciary uses a system of letters and numbers to create pseudonyms for appellants, respondents, and anyone else involved, turning a case file into a cryptogram. — Jay Fielden, The New Yorker, 17 June 2024

To this day, authorities have not formally named anyone as the Zodiac Killer, and only two of his cryptograms have been solved. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Apr. 2024

Like them, Schulz wrote about frustrated messianic longing, his resentment and awe of his father, and the tormenting intuition that the world is a cryptogram that will never be solved. — Adam Kirsch, The New Republic, 6 Apr. 2023

At some point in the morning, a large wooden cryptogram is wheeled out onto the stage. — Heather Platt, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2022

Word History

Etymology

crypto- + -gram, after cryptograph, cryptography

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cryptogram

noun

cryp·​to·​gram ˈkrip-tə-ˌgram 

: something written in cipher or code