ideogram

IPA/ˈɪdiəɡræm/
IPA/ˈɪdiəɡræm/

ideogram — noun

  • ideogramsingular
  • ideogramsplural

1. a written character in some scripts, like Chinese, that conveys a complete idea

1.nounC2
Definition

a written character in some scripts, like Chinese, that conveys a complete idea or object without indicating pronunciation

Example

Lauren pointed to the Chinese ideogram for 'water' on the restaurant menu.

ideogram for a concrete object — meaning is visual, not phonetic

The museum guide explained how ancient Egyptian ideograms developed over three thousand years.

Common collocations
  • Chinese ideogram
  • Japanese ideogram
  • ancient Egyptian ideogram
  • write an ideogram
  • draw an ideogram
  • read an ideogram
  • interpret an ideogram
Synonyms
  • ideograph

    same meaning; 'ideogram' is slightly more common in modern usage

  • logogram

    represents a specific word, not just a general idea — Chinese characters are often logograms

  • pictogram

    a simplified picture-like symbol used in signs and labels, not a full writing system

Antonyms
  • phonogram

    a written symbol that represents a sound rather than an idea or object

Grammar Patterns

an ideogram for [something]

an ideogram of [something]

ideogram + in [a writing system]

Usage Note

Distinguish from logogram, which represents a specific word rather than a general idea, and from pictogram, which is a simplified picture used mainly in public signs and instructions rather than in a full writing system.

Common Mistakes

The restroom sign uses an ideogram of a person.
The restroom sign uses a pictogram of a person.
pictograms are simplified pictures for public signs; ideograms belong to writing systems like Chinese.

Word family

  • ideograph
    nounC2
  • ideographic
    adjectiveC2
  • ideographically
    adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

An ideogram and an ideograph are essentially the same — both refer to a written character that represents an idea directly. 'Ideogram' is the more common form in modern linguistics. A logogram, by contrast, stands for a specific word rather than a general concept; Chinese characters are often logograms because each one maps to a particular word, though many also function ideographically. A pictogram is a simplified picture — think of the stick-figure signs on restroom doors — and belongs to the world of public signage, not a full writing system. A phonogram represents a sound (like the letters 'sh' in English) and is the opposite of an ideogram: it tells you how to say something, not what it means. If you are unsure which term to use, ask whether the symbol belongs to a writing system (ideogram/logogram), to public signs (pictogram), or to a phonetic alphabet (phonogram).

ideographlogogrampictogramphonogram

Common collocations

Nouns

  • Chinese ideogram
  • Japanese ideogram

Prepositions

  • ideogram for [something]
  • ideogram of [something]
  • ideogram in [a script]

Etymology

GreekEnglish

Formed in the mid-19th century from Greek idea ('form, concept') combined with -gram ('something written or drawn'). First recorded in English around 1838.

First known use

1838

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1