Meaning & use
diagrams
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“diagrams” is a form of “diagram”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nouncountable
Simple drawings that show how something works or how its parts are arranged.
Grammar: Countable noun; singular is 'diagram'. Use 'a diagram' for one, 'diagrams' for more than one.
Patterns
- draw a diagram
- a diagram of something
- a diagram showing something
The teacher drew a diagram on the board to explain the water cycle.
Please look at the diagram on page 12; it shows the parts of a flower.
I made a diagram of my computer network so my friend could help me fix it.
Word forms
| singular | diagram |
|---|
Common combinations
- draw a diagram
- Can you draw a diagram of the process for me?
- a diagram of
- She included a diagram of the human heart in her report.
- a diagram showing
- The manual has a diagram showing how to connect the cables.
- in the diagram
- The labels in the diagram are too small to read.
Synonyms and how they differ
- chart
- A chart often uses lines, bars, or circles to show numbers or information, while a diagram is more about structure or how something works.
- graphic
- A graphic is any visual image, including photos and drawings; a diagram is a specific kind of explanatory drawing.
- illustration
- An illustration is a picture that makes something clearer or more attractive, often in a book; a diagram is more technical and focuses on explanation.
Word family
- diagrammatic adjective
- Relating to or in the form of a diagram.
- diagrammatically adverb
- In a way that uses a diagram.
Commonly confused: diagrams or diagram?
diagrams vs diagram
'Diagrams' is the plural; 'diagram' is the singular. Use 'diagram' when talking about one drawing.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'diagrams' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Diagrams' is a plural noun, so it fits after 'several' in sentence B. Sentence A uses 'diagrams' as a verb, which is possible but less common and does not fit the context. Sentences C and D use 'diagram' as a verb but are not natural in those contexts.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “diagrams”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.