graphic
GRA-fihk
Graphic (adj) means Presented visually, through drawings, images, or pictures. Example: “The students prepared a graphic presentation with maps and diagrams for the class.”
adj
1
Presented visually, through drawings, images, or pictures.
"The students prepared a graphic presentation with maps and diagrams for the class."
"A graphic display on the screen showed how the temperature changed over the week."
"The report included graphic charts explaining the data."
2
Described in vivid, explicit detail, especially regarding violence or sex.
"Parents were warned that the documentary contained some graphic images."
"Her graphic account of the storm made everyone in the room feel uneasy."
"The film contains graphic scenes of violence."
noun
1
A picture, drawing, or computer-generated image.
"The website uses a bright graphic of a mountain at the top of the page."
"She saved the logo as a graphic and sent it to the printer."
"The designer added a bold graphic to the cover."
How to use graphic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to pictures or images, or describing something shown in vivid, unflinching detail.
Common mistake
"Graphic" describing violence means vividly detailed, not simply "bad" or "extreme" — it specifically refers to how explicitly something is shown.
Common pairings
graphic design
graphic violence
graphic novel
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like graphic.
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
Word forms
- Plural
- graphics
- Comparative
- more graphic
- Superlative
- most graphic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The students prepared a _____ presentation with maps and diagrams for the class.
Etymology
From Greek graphikos, "relating to drawing or writing," from graphein, "to write" or "scratch" — the same root behind "carve."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for graphic
See all rhymes for graphic →Frequently asked questions
What does “graphic” mean?
The word “graphic” means presented visually, through drawings, images, or pictures. In plain terms, relating to pictures or images, or describing something shown in vivid, unflinching detail.
How do you pronounce “graphic”?
“Graphic” is pronounced GRA-fihk (/ˈɡɹæfɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “graphic” in a sentence?
Here is “graphic” used in a sentence: “The report included graphic charts explaining the data.”
What part of speech is “graphic”?
Depending on how it is used, “graphic” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “graphic” come from?
The word “graphic” comes from Latin. From Greek graphikos, "relating to drawing or writing," from graphein, "to write" or "scratch" — the same root behind "carve.".
Is “graphic” a common word?
“Graphic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “graphic” have?
“Graphic” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: presented visually, through drawings, images, or pictures.
What is the difference between graphic and graphical?
Graphic usually means related to visual images or vividly detailed, while graphical is the more technical adjective for anything shown through graphs, diagrams, or a visual interface, as in "graphical user interface." In everyday use, "graphic design" takes graphic, not graphical.
When should you use graphic instead of vivid?
Both describe detailed, striking imagery, but graphic specifically implies explicit, often disturbing detail, especially of violence or sex, while vivid simply means clear and lifelike. A sunset can be vivid, but graphic usually signals content some may find shocking.
What is the difference between graphic and explicit?
Graphic emphasises that something is shown or described in vivid, unflinching detail, while explicit stresses that something is stated fully and openly, leaving nothing implied. Content can be both, but "graphic violence" focuses on the vividness and "explicit language" on the directness.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include graphic:
