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

• vivid
• specific
• visual
• pictorial
• descriptive
• concrete
• picturesque

Noun

• illustration
• diagram
• visual
• image

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

Amy Meadows, a longtime BMA trustee and now an honorary trustee, spent her career as an art consultant, while Marc Meadows, an art director and graphic designer, is the founder of Meadows Design Office. —News Desk, Artforum, 28 Oct. 2025

The graphic violence of its Manhattan investment banker turned serial killer led to it being censored in several countries. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025

Noun

The company introduced a raft of innovations during its annual GTC event (which is short for GPU Technology Conference, a reference to Nvidia’s core product, the graphics processing unit). —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025

Yes, here is a handy graphic of the CNN stream schedule. —Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025

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 arts
• graphic design
• graphic equalizer
• graphic novel

Rhymes for graphic

• graphic
• traffic
• angiographic
• choreographic
• chromatographic
• historiographic
• iconographic
• ideographic
• autographic
• biographic
• calligraphic
• cartographic

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