monogram

noun mono·gram \ ˈmä-nə-ˌgram \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Definition of monogram

: a sign of identity usually formed of the combined initials of a name

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monogrammatic

play \ˌmä-nə-grə-ˈma-tik\ adjective

See monogram defined for English-language learners

See monogram defined for kids

Recent Examples of monogram from the Web

Moving one step past drawing their likeness on a perfume topper for a scent with Comme des Garçons, the red-haired editrix has remixed has French fashion house Louis Vuitton’s iconic monogram with two illustrations of her cats, Pumpkin and Blanket.

— refinery29.com, "Grace Coddington Turned Louis Vuitton’s Runway Into An Actual Catwalk," 29 May 2018
Duchess Meghan's cypher, which is kind of like a royal monogram, features a script uppercase 'M' underneath a coronet.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Here's Our First Look at Meghan Markle's New Royal Monogram," 25 May 2018
Last Monday, Jerad Kluting was walking home with his Louis Vuitton Kitan bag, a tote covered in the label’s unmistakable monogram, with a leather shoulder strap.

— cam wolf, GQ, "The Man Who Wouldn’t Give an Armed Robber His Louis Vuitton Bag Tells Us What the F&!$ He Was Thinking," 21 May 2018
Design your monogram onto the center of the board with the sequined trim, and use a hot glue gun to affix it to the center of the board.

— sarah newell, Seventeen, "10 DIY Dorm Decor Hacks That Even Lazy Girls Can Do," 19 June 2017
Often compared to Jo Malone's candles, both candle lines feature a clear glass body with a monogram logo on the label, as well as a silver top capped off with a black ribbon.

— temi adebowale, House Beautiful, "Aldi Is Bringing Their Jo Malone-Style Candles To The U.S.," 9 May 2018
In that film a bride moves into Manderley, her new husband’s grand estate, only to discover it’s haunted by his dead wife, whose monogram is carved on the master bedroom door.

— amy nicholson, Town & Country, "What This Spring's Thriller Thoroughbreds Reveals About the Horrors of Being Rich," 26 Feb. 2018
Levi's guests were able to get their denim cutoffs, trucker jackets and 501s tailored to fit and customized with monograms, screenprinting and airbrushing gratis.

— adam tschorn, latimes.com, "Riding Coachella's coattails: Dior, Moschino, Fenty X Puma and Levi Strauss decamp to the desert to build buzz," 18 Apr. 2018
The color scheme is rich and dark — most of the walls are painted a color called raven plume — and a custom carpet features H monograms (for Hogwarts, Harry’s alma mater).

— michael paulson, New York Times, "Another Harry Potter Landmark: At $68 Million, the Most Expensive Broadway Nonmusical Play Ever," 14 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'monogram.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of monogram

Late Latin monogramma, from Greek mon- + gramma letter — more at gram

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1696

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Alphabet Terms

cuneiform, linear, minuscule, pictograph, rune, symbology, wedge

monogram

verb

Definition of monogram

monogrammed; monogramming

transitive verb

: to mark with a monogram

—

monogrammer

play \-ˌgra-mər\ noun

Recent Examples of monogram from the Web

The suite even includes bags from her favorite store, Bloomingdales, plus monogramed Dorothy Draper cocktail glasses and a vintage Dom Perignon Champagne bucket in the bar.

— danielle tullo, House Beautiful, "You Can Now Vacation in Marilyn Monroe’s Former Home," 31 May 2018
Additionally, each bridesmaid wears a custom pair of white leather Aquazurra shoes, which have been monogramed with their initials and the wedding date.

— maria pasquini, PEOPLE.com, "Meghan Markle Walks Down the Aisle with Her Adorable Page Boys and Bridesmaids: See the Photos!," 19 May 2018
Use a rotary punch and metal letter stamps to monogram them for a personalized touch.

— lauren smith, House Beautiful, "15 Homemade Mother's Day Gifts for the Best Mom Ever," 20 Mar. 2018
Southerners will find an excuse to monogram just about anything, even items as small or unsubstantial as napkins or house slippers.

— mary shannon wells, Southern Living, "How to Monogram with a Double Name," 24 Jan. 2018
This charming bedroom from Tobi Tobin has always been a favorite of mine — classic white monogramed bedding in a room wrapped in that marvelous damask wallpaper.

— scot meacham wood, House Beautiful, "7 Steps to Your Perfect Bed," 9 June 2014
How to monogram a gift when the child has multiple middle names like the royal baby is expected to?

— caroline mckenzie, Southern Living, "Royal Baby Arrives: Southern Gifts Fit for a Prince," 22 July 2013
Today, the act of taking a familiar slogan, label, or monogram out of its original context and putting it on something entirely different is par for the course.

— brooke bobb, Vogue, "This Secret L.A. Shop is Making Custom Fashion for Nicki Minaj, Rita Ora, and More," 27 July 2017
Bedroom Bedding: Preferably tasteful, preferably monogramed, and preferably matching your roommate’s set for a cohesive look.

— Southern Living, "College Dorm Checklist Every Southern Girl Needs," 1 May 2017

First Known Use of monogram

1868

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Alphabet Terms

cuneiform, linear, minuscule, pictograph, rune, symbology, wedge

MONOGRAM Defined for English Language Learners

monogram

noun

Definition of monogram for English Language Learners

: a symbol that has the first letters of a person's first, middle, and last names and that is put on towels, blankets, clothes, etc., as a decoration or to show ownership