Meaning & use
diagram
Last updated
UK/ˈdaɪəɡræm/
US/ˈdaɪəɡræm/
Meanings
nouncountable
A simple drawing that explains how something is built, how it works or how its parts relate.
Grammar: Countable: draw a diagram.
Patterns
- a diagram of something
- draw a diagram
The teacher drew a diagram of the human heart.
Follow the diagram to assemble the shelf.
A wiring diagram showed where each cable goes.
verbtransitive
To show or explain something with a diagram.
Grammar: Takes an object: diagram a sentence.
Patterns
- diagram something
Students diagram sentences in grammar class.
The engineer diagrammed the system.
Word forms
| plural | diagrams |
|---|---|
| third person singular | diagrams |
| past tense | diagrammed |
| past participle | diagrammed |
| -ing form | diagramming |
Common combinations
- draw a diagram
- Draw a diagram of the circuit.
- flow diagram
- The flow diagram shows each step.
- Venn diagram
- A Venn diagram compares two sets.
- labeled diagram
- Study the labeled diagram.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- diagrammatic adjective
- in the form of a diagram
Commonly confused: diagram or diagnosis?
diagram vs diagnosis
A diagnosis identifies a disease or problem; a diagram is a drawing.
Practice
Which is a diagram?
Choose one answer.
A diagram is a simplified explanatory drawing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “diagram”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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