WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
graph•ic /ˈgræfɪk/USA pronunciation
adj. Also, ˈgraph•i•cal.
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- giving a clear and effective picture;
vivid:a graphic account of the riots. - relating to the use of diagrams, graphs, mathematical curves, or the like.
- of, relating to, or expressed by writing:graphic symbols.
- [before a noun] relating to graphic arts.
n. [countable]
- Fine Arta product of the graphic arts, as a drawing.
- Computinga computer-generated image or picture.
graph•ic
(graf′ik),USA pronunciation adj. Also, graph′i•cal.
n.
graph′i•cal•ly, adv.
graph′i•cal•ness, graph′ic•ness, n.
-graphic,
graphic, +adj.
- giving a clear and effective picture;
vivid:a graphic account of an earthquake. - pertaining to the use of diagrams, graphs, mathematical curves, or the like;
diagrammatic. - of, pertaining to, or expressed by writing:graphic symbols.
- written, inscribed, or drawn.
- depicted in a realistic or vivid manner:graphic sex and violence.
- containing graphic descriptions:a graphic movie.
- Geology(of a rock) having a texture formed by the intergrowth of certain minerals so as to resemble written characters.
- Mathematicspertaining to the determination of values, solution of problems, etc., by direct measurement on diagrams instead of by ordinary calculations.
- of or pertaining to the graphic arts.
n.
- Fine Arta product of the graphic arts, as a drawing or print.
- Computinga computer-generated image.
- Greek graphikós able to draw or paint, equivalent. to gráph(ein) to draw, write + -ikos -ic; cognate with carve
- Latin graphicus of painting or drawing
- 1630–40
graph′i•cal•ness, graph′ic•ness, n.
- 1. striking, telling; detailed. See picturesque.
-graphic,
- a combination of -graph and -ic, forming adjectives corresponding to nouns ending in -graph: telegraphic.
graphic, +adj.
- depicted in a realistic or vivid manner:graphic sex and violence.
- containing graphic descriptions:a graphic movie.
'graphically' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
body horror
- explicit
- -graph
- middle C
- hard core
- kymograph
- ondograph
- phonocardiograph
- picture
- pneumograph
- ponograph
- portray
- ring
- traverse