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
boingboing.net2
: 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
Michael Martinez
c
: marked by clear lifelike or vividly realistic description
… its most graphic and beautiful stanzas …—John Livingston Lowes
John Livingston Lowes4
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
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 nounthe 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
Richard Corliss3
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
variants
or -graphical
: written or transmitted in a (specified) way
stylographic
telegraphic
Synonyms
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 WebPaige 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
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
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
Phrases Containing graphic
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.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
graphic
1 of 2 adjective
graph·ic
ˈgraf-ik 
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
graphic
2 of 2 noun1
: 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
More from Merriam-Webster on graphic
Nglish: Translation of graphic for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of graphic for Arabic Speakers
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