noun
ambigram
AM-bih-gram
Ambigram (noun) means a stylized lettering design that spells the same word or phrase when flipped or turned upside down. Example: “The artist drew an ambigram of her name that reads the same upside down.”
noun
1
A stylized lettering design that spells the same word or phrase when flipped or turned upside down.
"The artist drew an ambigram of her name that reads the same upside down."
"He had an ambigram tattooed on his forearm."
"The book cover features an ambigram of the title."
Examples of ambigram in a sentence →
How to use ambigram
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLettering that reads the same when flipped or turned.
When to use it
It is a neutral term used in art, design, and puzzle circles.
Memory tip
An ambigram is about how letters look, while an anagram is about rearranging letters.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
draw an ambigram
an ambigram logo
upside-down ambigram
ambigram design
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like ambigram.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The artist drew an _____ of her name that reads the same upside down.
Etymology
The word combines the prefix ambi- with the ending -gram. It was coined by Douglas Hofstadter in the early 1980s.
Rhymes for ambigram
See all rhymes for ambigram →Frequently asked questions
What is an ambigram?
An ambigram is a piece of lettering that still spells the same word when you flip or rotate it.
Who coined the word ambigram?
Douglas Hofstadter coined it in the early 1980s.
Can any word be made into an ambigram?
With a skilled graphic artist, nearly any word can be designed to flip so that it still reads clearly.
What is the meaning of ambigram?
"ambigram" (noun) means a stylized lettering design that spells the same word or phrase when flipped or turned upside down.
