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graphic
/ˈɡræfɪk/
relating to visual art or detailed imagery
The designer created a graphic novel to tell the story.
The designer made a book with detailed pictures and text to tell the story.
formal
relating to visual art or detailed imagery
She studied graphic design at university.
She learned how to create visual content like logos and layouts in school.
The presentation included graphic illustrations of the data.
The presentation showed detailed pictures to explain the data.
Often used in academic and professional contexts to describe visual elements.
formal
vividly or clearly described
The witness gave a graphic account of the accident.
The witness described the accident in very clear and detailed terms.
Implies detailed and sometimes shocking descriptions.
Technology
technical
a visual image displayed on a screen or device
The computer's graphic card renders high-quality images.
The part of the computer that processes and displays visual images is called the graphic card.
Shortened form of 'graphic card' or 'graphics card'.
Collocations
graphic designthe art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual contentgraphic novela book-length narrative work in comic formatgraphic equalizeran audio device that adjusts the volume of different frequency bands
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Distinguish meanings by context
If 'graphic' describes visual art or images, it's likely an adjective (e.g., 'graphic design'). If it describes a detailed description, it's often used with 'account' or 'description'.
Gold Rule
Avoid confusion with 'graphical'
'Graphical' is an adjective form of 'graphic' but is more commonly used in technical contexts (e.g., 'graphical user interface').
Word Origin
From Latin *graphicus*, from Greek *graphikos* 'of or for writing or drawing', from *graphein* 'to write, draw'. The word entered English in the 17th century with the sense 'of or relating to drawing or painting'.
Usage Notes
The word 'graphic' can describe both visual content and detailed descriptions. In technology, it often refers to visual output or hardware components like graphic cards.
Word Breakdown
graph-
writing or drawing
root-ic
relating to
suffixEnglish Dictionary