pictographic
pictographic — adjective
- pictographicpositive
- more pictographiccomparative
- most pictographicsuperlative
1. using picture symbols that stand for things, words, or ideas.
using picture symbols that stand for things, words, or ideas.
The old tablets use a pictographic system for counting grain in storage.
pictographic + system
Our textbook shows how pictographic symbols later became written characters.
pictographic + symbols
The museum guide compared pictographic writing with later writing that used letters.
On the cave wall, a pictographic record marked each animal the hunters saw.
- picture-based
a plain descriptive phrase with almost the same meaning, but less technical than pictographic
- ideographic
more technical and often stresses symbols that represent ideas rather than pictures of things
- alphabetic
using letters to represent sounds instead of picture symbols
- phonetic
focused on sound representation rather than picture-based meaning
文法句型
pictographic writing
pictographic system
pictographic symbol
用法筆記
Usually modifies writing, systems, records, or symbols. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense describes material that uses picture signs, not one sign that is itself one.
常見錯誤
2. acting as a picture sign that directly shows the thing or idea it stands for.
acting as a picture sign that directly shows the thing or idea it stands for.
The washroom symbol is pictographic, so children understand it at once.
be pictographic
The warning label is pictographic, showing a hand near a sharp blade.
That emergency card stays pictographic, with no words beside the pictures.
The airport signs are pictographic, so visitors follow them before reading English.
- verbal
communicating with words rather than pictures
- text-based
depending on written language instead of picture signs
文法句型
be pictographic
pictographic icon
pictographic sign
用法筆記
Often describes a single sign, icon, or label that people can understand without reading text. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about one symbol, not a whole system of writing.
常見錯誤
3. having a simple visual style that looks like a picture sign.
having a simple visual style that looks like a picture sign.
The designer chose a pictographic style, with flat people and bold shapes.
pictographic + style
The app has a pictographic look, so young children can use it easily.
pictographic + look
Nadia prefers pictographic maps that show hills as simple green shapes.
The lesson poster feels pictographic, with birds and trees drawn like signs.
- picture-like
a simpler descriptive phrase for looking like a picture sign
- icon-like
close when shapes look simplified like modern icons
文法句型
pictographic style
pictographic look
pictographic map
用法筆記
Often used for designs, maps, and teaching materials that rely on flat, simplified shapes. Distinguish from sense 2: something pictographic in this sense only looks like a pictograph; it does not itself function as one.