noun
pangram
PAN-gram
Pangram (noun) means a sentence that contains every letter of the alphabet. Example: “Typographers often use a pangram to show off every letter in a new font.”
noun
1
A sentence that contains every letter of the alphabet.
"Typographers often use a pangram to show off every letter in a new font."
"She wrote a short pangram using each letter just once."
"Teachers sometimes set a pangram as a fun spelling exercise."
2
crosswording A crossword puzzle in which every letter of the alphabet appears somewhere in the completed grid.
"The setter was proud of creating a pangram grid this week."
"This crossword is a pangram, since every letter turns up somewhere in the finished grid."
How to use pangram
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA pangram is a sentence, or crossword, that uses every letter of the alphabet.
When to use it
It is a fairly technical term, used mainly in language, typography and puzzle contexts.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
write a pangram
a pangram sentence
a pangram grid
create a pangram
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Fill the gap
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Typographers often use a _____ to show off every letter in a new font.
Etymology
Formed by combining the prefix pan-, meaning all, with -gram, relating to something written.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pangram?
It is a sentence that uses every letter of the alphabet at least once.
Why are pangrams useful?
They are often used to display every letter of a typeface or alphabet in one short piece of text.
What does pangram mean in crosswords?
In crosswording, a pangram is a puzzle whose completed grid contains every letter of the alphabet.
What is the meaning of pangram?
"pangram" (noun) means a sentence that contains every letter of the alphabet.
