1
: a group of two successive letters whose phonetic value is a single sound (such as ea in bread or ng in sing) or whose value is not the sum of a value borne by each in other occurrences (such as ch in chin where the value is \t\ + \sh\)
2
: a group of two successive letters
3
Examples of digraph in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Beverly concludes, her digraphs pointedly curt, left to flutter in the air.
—
Vulture, 4 May 2023
The digraph remains classified.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 25 Aug. 2020
To construct a vowel progression theme, the constructor develops a set of phrases in which the last word of each entry starts with the same letter or digraph — in this case, PR — and ends with one of the vowel sounds.
—New York Times, 24 July 2022
Vulture, 4 May 2023
The digraph remains classified.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 25 Aug. 2020
To construct a vowel progression theme, the constructor develops a set of phrases in which the last word of each entry starts with the same letter or digraph — in this case, PR — and ends with one of the vowel sounds.
—New York Times, 24 July 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'digraph.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1780, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near digraph
Cite this Entry
“Digraph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digraph. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
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