monogram

noun mono·gram \ ˈmä-nə-ˌgram \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Definition of monogram

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

—

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

For Over The Moon’s online shop, Baker created stationery sets with four themed, floral crest choices— named La Dolce Vita, In Full Bloom, Out of Africa, and Love Birds—to be filled in with a monogram of your choosing.

— katie kiefner, Vogue, "Send All of Your Summer Thank You Notes on This Stunning Stationery," 10 July 2018
But while Melania Trump’s Zara version was emblazoned with a questionable message, Paltrow kept things subtle with a classic (but unexpected in this context) monogram on her right hip.

— edward barsamian, Vogue, "Gwyneth Paltrow’s Army Jacket Also Has a Message," 27 June 2018
Visitors to the house’s redesigned website will be able to buy and customize pinky rings with monograms, motifs and symbols, said Evan Yurman, the chief creative officer.

— ray a. smith, WSJ, "To Reach Millennials, High-End Jewelers Try New Products—and Approach," 19 June 2018
The monogram is the brand’s original one, dating back to 1898, and the font was created in Germany the same year. Reworking those two elements was a way to maintain a strong link to our heritage while establishing the foundation for the future.

— Fortune, "Rimowa and Virgil Abloh Are Creating Completely See-Through Luggage," 5 June 2018
Girls who wore Coach were keyed into the new symbols of social cachet: wearing brand names emblazoned across your butt and monograms on your teeny tiny purse.

— kristen martin, The Cut, "Mourning My Mother Through the Bags She Left Behind," 23 May 2018
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

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