What does "graphic" mean?

1. (a picture or diagram) a picture, map, or graph used to explain information or decorate something. 2. (computer images) images or animations created by a computer, especially in games or films. 3. (vivid or shocking) giving a very clear and detailed picture of something, especially if it is violent or unpleasant. 4. (visual or pictorial) relating to visual art, drawing, or printing. 5. (rock texture) describing a pattern in rocks that looks like messy handwriting.

How do you use "graphic"?

Usually used in the plural form 'graphics' when referring to computer performance.

graphic

n. · adj.

US //ˈɡɹæfɪk// UK //ɡɹˈæfɪk// graph·ic

1 a picture or diagram (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a picture, map, or graph used to explain information or decorate something.

a visual representation such as a diagram, illustration, or graph used for information or decoration.

Example

The textbook includes a helpful graphic that shows how the water cycle works.

Example

The designer incorporated a bold graphic on the cover to ensure the report stood out among more traditional academic publications.
2 computer images (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Computing

images or animations created by a computer, especially in games or films.

visual images produced by computer processing, typically used in video games, cinema, or user interfaces.

Example

The graphics in this new video game look almost like a real movie.

Example

The latest console update significantly improved the rendering of environmental graphics, providing much more realistic lighting and textures.

Usage

Usually used in the plural form 'graphics' when referring to computer performance.
- visuals
- CGI

Show 3 more sensesShow fewer

3 vivid or shocking (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

giving a very clear and detailed picture of something, especially if it is violent or unpleasant.

giving a vivid and detailed picture; frequently used to describe explicit depictions of violence or sexual content.

Example

The news report gave a graphic account of the car accident.

Example

The documentary was praised for its honesty, though some viewers found the graphic descriptions of the battlefield difficult to endure.
- vague
- mild
4 visual or pictorial (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

relating to visual art, drawing, or printing.

relating to visual art, especially involving drawing, engraving, or lettering.

Example

She is looking for a job in graphic design after finishing her art degree.

Example

The artist's graphic style relies heavily on sharp lines and high-contrast colours rather than soft shading.
- visual
- pictorial
- verbal
- oral
5 rock texture (adj.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Science

describing a pattern in rocks that looks like messy handwriting.

referring to a texture in igneous rocks where certain minerals grow together in a pattern resembling cuneiform or writing.

Example

The geologist identified the stone as graphic granite because of the strange marks on its surface.

Example

The graphic texture of the pegmatite resulted from the simultaneous crystallisation of quartz and alkali feldspar under specific thermal conditions.

Origin

From Latin graphicus (“belonging to painting or drawing”), from Ancient Greek γραφικός (graphikós, “belonging to painting or drawing, picturesque, of or for writing; of style, lively”), from γραφή (graphḗ, “drawing, painting, writing, a writing, description, etc.”), from γράφω (gráphō, “scratch, carve”) (cognate with English carve).