graphic

1 of 3

adjective

graph·​ic ˈgra-fik How to pronounce graphic (audio)
variants or less commonly graphical
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 adverb
graphicness 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
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
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Paige Eichkorn, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2023 Today, The Times launched Immigrant Dreams, a series of articles, photos and videos based on the survey findings as well as work by Times reporters, photographers and graphic artists. Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2023 Instead, prosecutors spent the week showing graphic video of the shooting. Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 17 Sep. 2023 The fight was captured on graphic video by a witness. Eric Levenson, CNN, 14 Sep. 2023 There’s no gore or blood or graphic images of any kind associated with those scenes. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Sep. 2023 Some opted for a blazer to achieve a put together look without layering too many items while others wore graphic T-shirts or crewneck sweatshirts and elevated their ‘fit with accessories like necklaces or sunglasses. Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 13 Sep. 2023 For his date night look, Holland complemented his actress girlfriend in a graphic Beyoncé T-shirt, leather jacket and trousers, all black. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 5 Sep. 2023 The graphic wall treatment highlights embroidered artwork, a cozy hanging rattan chair, and party essentials stowed on a portable bar cart. Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2023
Noun
And the graphics were so much more than looking through a viewfinder in 2D and shooting people talking. Erik Morse, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2023 The Auburn Tigers graphics also help motivate you to train like your favorite team. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 18 Sep. 2023 Designers Bruno Basso and Chris Brooke were pioneers in digital imaging on fabric—creating complex, vivid, and swirling imagery, including Byzantine fractals and Japanese florals—shaping garments with innovative pattern cutting that elevated and matched the graphics meticulously. Mark C. O'Flaherty, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2023 Due to Starfield's demanding graphics, though, many gamers have been asking for it to be added to GeForce Now, which provides the power of a high-end GPU via streaming. Kegan Mooney, PCMAG, 14 Sep. 2023 The three games are all coming to the Switch with improved graphics and, hopefully, improved control schemes. Jay Peters, The Verge, 14 Sep. 2023 Estimates for rival chipmaker Nvidia’s share of the machine-learning graphics processor market reach as high as 95%. The Motley Fool, Dallas News, 10 Sep. 2023 The graphics on this page are based on government data. Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 6 Sep. 2023 Trump would go on to share a graphic of Orban along with his quote on his own social media platform Truth Social late Friday. Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'graphic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of graphic was in 1660

Dictionary Entries Near graphic

Cite this Entry

“Graphic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graphic. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

graphic

1 of 2 adjective
graph·​ic ˈgraf-ik How to pronounce graphic (audio)
variants also graphical
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 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

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