-graph

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

-graph combining_form:in_noun:countable

1. an instrument that writes or records: telegraph
2. a writing, record, or drawing: autograph, lithograph

Etymology: via Latin from Greek -graphos, from graphein to write

-graphic, -graphical combining_form:in_adjective

-graphically combining_form:in_adverb

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

graph /græf/   n. [countable]

1. a diagram representing a system of connections or relations among two or more things, as by a number of dots, shapes, or lines.

v. [~ + object]

2. to represent by means of a graph:
   The economists graphed the current trends.

See -graph-.
-graph-, root. 

1. Telecommunications -graph- comes from Greek, where it has the meaning "written down, printed, drawn.'' This meaning is found in such words as: autograph, bibliography, biography, calligraphy, cartography, choreography, cinematography, digraph, geography, graph, graphic, graphite, hagiography, holography, ideograph, lexicography, lithography, mimeograph, monograph, oceanography, orthography, paragraph, phonograph, photograph, pictograph, polygraph, pornography, seismograph, telegraph, typography. See -gram.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

graph  (graf, gräf ), n. 

1. a diagram representing a system of connections or interrelations among two or more things by a number of distinctive dots, lines, bars, etc.
2. [Math.]
   • Mathematics a series of points, discrete or continuous, as in forming a curve or surface, each of which represents a value of a given function.
   • Mathematics Also called linear graph. a network of lines connecting points.
3. a written symbol for an idea, a sound, or a linguistic expression.

v.t. 

4. Mathematics to draw (a curve) as representing a given function.
5. to represent by means of a graph.

• 1875–80; short for graphic formula; see graphic

Synonyms

• 1. See map. 

graph-, 

1. var. of grapho- before a vowel:
   grapheme.

-graph, 

1. Telecommunications a combining form meaning "drawn,'' "written'' (lithograph;
   monograph);
   specialized in meaning to indicate the instrument rather than the written product of the instrument (telegraph;
   phonograph).

• Greek -graphos (something) drawn or written, one who draws or writes. See grapho-