cuneiform

1 of 2

adjective

cu·​ne·​i·​form kyü-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm  ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- 

1

: having the shape of a wedge

2

: composed of or written in wedge-shaped characters

cuneiform syllabary

cuneiform

2 of 2

noun

1

: a cuneiform part

specifically : a cuneiform bone or cartilage

2

: cuneiform writing

Illustration of cuneiform

• cuneiform 2

Examples of cuneiform in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Egypt was probably next, then China, though there is much amiable tussling for post-cuneiform pole position. —Big Think, 18 Nov. 2025

Noun

The marks, found on 260 artifacts from Germany, are very different from modern writing systems, but show the same level of complexity and density of information as proto-cuneiform script, which arose in Mesopotamia, or modern-day Iraq, about 5,300 years ago. —Jacopo Prisco, CNN Money, 25 Feb. 2026

The magazine was full of lovable weirdos who knew inordinate amounts about cuneiform or animal husbandry and were prone to causing collisions in the hallway because their faces were buried in paper proofs. —Ismail Ibrahim, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

probably from French cunéiforme, from Middle French, from Latin cuneus + Middle French -iforme -iform

First Known Use

Adjective

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cuneiform

• iodoform
• nonuniform
• brainstorm
• conform
• deform
• firestorm
• hailstorm
• inform
• landform
• lukewarm
• perform
• planform

Kids Definition

cuneiform

1 of 2 adjective

cu·​ne·​i·​form kyu̇-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm  ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- 

1

: having the shape of a wedge

2

: made up of or written with marks or letters shaped like wedges

cuneiform

2 of 2 noun

: cuneiform writing

Medical Definition

cuneiform

1 of 2 adjective

cu·​ne·​i·​form kyu̇-ˈnē-ə-ˌfȯrm  ˈkyü-n(ē-)ə- 

1

: of, relating to, or being a cuneiform bone or cartilage

2

of a human skull : wedge-shaped as viewed from above

cuneiform

2 of 2 noun

: a cuneiform bone or cartilage