graph
graf
Graph (noun) means a diagram showing the relationship between sets of numbers or quantities, often using lines, bars, or points. Example: “Read the graph carefully and tell me which month had the most rainfall.”
noun
1
A diagram showing the relationship between sets of numbers or quantities, often using lines, bars, or points.
"Read the graph carefully and tell me which month had the most rainfall."
"The teacher drew a bar graph on the board to compare our test scores."
"The graph showed a sharp rise in sales over the summer."
2
(mathematics) A structure made of points (vertices) connected by lines (edges), used to model networks and relationships.
"In this graph, each town is a vertex and each road is an edge."
"A social network can be modelled as a graph of people and friendships."
"The algorithm searches the graph for the shortest path between two nodes."
verb
1
To plot or draw information as a graph.
"We used a spreadsheet to graph the temperature for each day of the experiment."
"Please graph these two sets of results on the same axes."
"Students were asked to graph the function on paper."
How to use graph
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA visual chart of data, or, in math and computing, a network of connected points.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
bar graph
line graph
plot a graph
graph theory
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Word forms
- Plural
- graphs
- Third person singular
- graphs
- Past tense
- graphed
Fill the gap
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Read the _____ carefully and tell me which month had the most rainfall.
Etymology
A shortened form of "graphic formula," first used in this sense in the late 1870s.
Class of 1870
graph joined the language around 1870.
See the full Class of 1870 →
Related words
Rhymes for graph
See all rhymes for graph →Frequently asked questions
What does “graph” mean?
The word “graph” means a diagram showing the relationship between sets of numbers or quantities, often using lines, bars, or points. In plain terms, a visual chart of data, or, in math and computing, a network of connected points.
How do you pronounce “graph”?
“Graph” is pronounced graf (/ɡɹæf/ in IPA).
How do you use “graph” in a sentence?
Here is “graph” used in a sentence: “The graph showed a sharp rise in sales over the summer.”
What is another word for “graph”?
Words with a similar meaning to “graph” include chart and plot.
What part of speech is “graph”?
Depending on how it is used, “graph” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “graph” come from?
The word “graph” dates back to around 1870. A shortened form of "graphic formula," first used in this sense in the late 1870s.
Is “graph” a common word?
“Graph” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “graph” have?
“Graph” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a diagram showing the relationship between sets of numbers or quantities, often using lines, bars, or points.
What is the difference between a graph and a chart?
The words overlap, but "chart" is the broader term for any visual display of data, while "graph" usually suggests values plotted against axes, as in a line graph. Pie charts and flowcharts are rarely called graphs, and in mathematics "graph" has a technical sense a chart never has: a network of points connected by lines.
What is the difference between a graph and a table?
A table gives exact figures arranged in rows and columns, while a graph turns those figures into lines, bars, or points so trends and comparisons are visible at a glance. Use a table when readers need precise values and a graph when the overall pattern matters more than individual numbers.
Is a graph in graph theory the same as the graph of an equation?
No. The graph of an equation is the curve or line drawn on coordinate axes to show how one quantity varies with another, while a graph in graph theory is a structure of points (vertices) joined by lines (edges), used to model networks such as friendships or road systems. The two senses share a name but belong to different areas of mathematics.
Do you say "draw a graph" or "plot a graph"?
Both are correct. "Plot a graph" emphasizes marking data points in their exact positions, so it is the usual phrasing in math and science, while "draw a graph" is the everyday alternative. "Graph" also works as a verb on its own: "Graph the results."
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