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. Dylan Sherman, arkansasonline.com, 19 Mar. 2024 That film strikes a remarkable balance, using its more graphic moments to enhance the story’s gravity rather than for shock value alone. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024 This story contains a graphic image of dead bodies. Jennifer Pritheeva Samuel, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024 She’s been a graphic designer ever since, working for various design studios in Marin and San Francisco. Paul Liberatore, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024 An adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s graphic novels, the series set new standards for graphic violence on cable TV with hordes of flesh-munching zombies and vicious thugs. Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Brinkley shared a series of images on her Instagram page, including one of the bandaged wound, a more graphic shot of the wound itself, and a picture of her stitches. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 Mar. 2024 Joy Randolph's look for the Chanel and Charles Finch Pre-Oscar Dinner in Beverly Hills, California, was about the details, such as her skirt's mini train, layered pearl necklace and graphic mani. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 In the early 2000s, Huang made a sustained bet on graphic processing units (GPUs). Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024
Noun
Nvidia’s graphics processing units, or GPUs, ultimately proved successful in other areas because of their ability to divide up calculations into many simpler tasks and handle them in parallel. Ian King, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 Alaska Airlines flight graphic:A Boeing 737 MAX 9 lost a panel midair, terrifying passengers. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024 The chips Nvidia designed for running video game graphics turned out to be well-suited to run the massive calculations needed to train and run modern AI algorithms. Taylor Telford, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Now tour: Here’s when Jenny stops by our block Feb. 15, 2024 Lopez shared a graphic of the new tour dates on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday. Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 These simple graphics are enough to make many toddlers excited about brushing their teeth, which is exactly what happened with our tester and her 3-year-old. Jessica Booth, Parents, 10 Mar. 2024 Several tees and hoodies include mesh graphics combining a map of Detroit with the Minimog Voyager Synthesizer and Akai MPC3000, machines that J Dilla used to churn out abstract beats. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 For its time, the title punched above its weight with graphics and sound that pushed the system to its limits. Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024 The graphics show a traditional Sikh dagger stabbing a machine gun barrel painted orange, white and green — the colors of the Indian flag. Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024

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 28 Mar. 2024.

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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