noun

tughra

TOO-gruh

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Tughra (noun) means a calligraphic emblem used as the official signature of an Ottoman sultan, applied to official papers, engraved into his personal seal and struck onto his coinage. Example: “The tughra of Suleiman the Magnificent headed his official decrees.”

noun

A calligraphic emblem used as the official signature of an Ottoman sultan, applied to official papers, engraved into his personal seal and struck onto his coinage.

"The tughra of Suleiman the Magnificent headed his official decrees."

"Museum visitors admired the elaborate tughra carved into the old royal seal."

"Each sultan's tughra was a unique, highly ornate design."

How to use tughra

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA tughra is the ornate calligraphic signature an Ottoman sultan used to mark official documents and objects.

When to use it

This is a specialist historical and calligraphic term, not used in everyday English.

Memory tip

Think of a tughra as a royal emblem or seal rather than an ordinary handwritten signature.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

a sultan's tughra an ornate tughra carve a tughra the tughra on a coin

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ of Suleiman the Magnificent headed his official decrees.

Etymology

Tughra was borrowed into English from Turkish tuğra, which itself came from Ottoman Turkish tuğra.

Origin: Turkish

Frequently asked questions

What is a tughra?

It is a calligraphic emblem that served as the official signature of an Ottoman sultan, used on documents, seals and coins.

Who used a tughra?

Ottoman sultans used them, and some other rulers have continued the practice into modern times.

Where would a tughra appear?

It could appear on official papers, be engraved into a sultan's seal, struck onto his coins, and printed on postage stamps produced while he reigned.

What is the meaning of tughra?

"tughra" (noun) means a calligraphic emblem used as the official signature of an Ottoman sultan, applied to official papers, engraved into his personal seal and struck onto his coinage.