# lithograph

/ˈɫɪθəˌɡɹæf/ (US) · /lˈɪθəɡɹˌæf/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lithograph
Updated: 2026-10-16

## Definition

a print made using a special process where an image is drawn on a flat stone or metal plate with oil or wax. You use this method to create many copies of a piece of art.

For teachers: a print produced by a process in which the image is rendered on a flat surface, such as stone or a metal plate, using a greasy substance that attracts ink while the non-image areas are kept wet to repel it.

## Examples

- He bought a beautiful lithograph of the city skyline.
- The gallery specializes in 19th-century lithographs, showcasing how early printers used stone plates to mass-produce detailed illustrations.
- While the original painting remains in a private collection, the artist authorized a limited run of signed lithographs to make the work accessible to a broader audience of collectors.

## Synonyms

print, reproduction, copy

## Usage notes

- Refers both to the printing process itself and to the individual physical print created by that process.

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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.