# graphic

/ˈɡɹæfɪk/ (US) · /ɡɹˈæfɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/graphic
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a picture or diagram

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The textbook includes a helpful graphic that shows how the water cycle works.
- The designer incorporated a bold graphic on the cover to ensure the report stood out among more traditional academic publications.

### 2. computer images

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

### 3. vivid or shocking

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- The news report gave a graphic account of the car accident.
- The documentary was praised for its honesty, though some viewers found the graphic descriptions of the battlefield difficult to endure.

### 4. visual or pictorial

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to visual art, drawing, or printing.

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

- She is looking for a job in graphic design after finishing her art degree.
- The artist's graphic style relies heavily on sharp lines and high-contrast colours rather than soft shading.

### 5. rock texture

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

describing a pattern in rocks that looks like messy handwriting.

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

- The geologist identified the stone as graphic granite because of the strange marks on its surface.
- The graphic texture of the pegmatite resulted from the simultaneous crystallisation of quartz and alkali feldspar under specific thermal conditions.

## Examples

- The news report used a graphic to show the rising temperatures.
- The designer created a custom graphic for the website to make the complex data easier for users to understand.
- While the text provides a thorough analysis of the market trends, the accompanying graphic offers a more immediate grasp of the underlying volatility.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.