ENGLISH
REFERENCE

monogram

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈmɑnəˌɡɹæm// UK //mˈɒnəʊɡɹˌæm// mono·gram Archaic

n. a design made by mixing two or more letters together, usually the first letters of a person's name. You often see them on expensive clothes, bags, or towels.

n. a motif of two or more interwoven letters, typically the initials of an individual or a company, used as a decorative identification mark. Often applied to personal property through embroidery, engraving, or printing.


SIMPLE

She has a gold monogram on her leather wallet.

CONTEXTUAL

The hotel provides high-quality bathrobes featuring a subtle monogram of the brand's initials on the chest pocket.

COMPLEX

While modern logos are often abstract, the classic monogram remains a staple of luxury branding, conveying a sense of heritage and bespoke craftsmanship through its intricate, overlapping typography.

Etymology 1

From French monogramme, from the Classical Latin adjective monogrammus, from the conjectured Ancient Greek * μονόγραμμος (monógrammos, “outlined”, “drawn with single lines”).

Etymology 2

Formed as mono- + -gram, by analogy with epigram.

Etymology 3

The noun derives from the post-Classical Latin monogrammum, itself from the Byzantine Greek μονόγραμμον (monógrammon); compare the French and Middle French monogramme, as well as the Italian monogramma. The verb derives from the noun; compare the earlier adjective monogrammed and the slightly earlier noun monogramming.

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