Meaning & use
epigram
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Meanings
nouncountable
A short, clever saying or poem that makes its point in a memorable, often surprising way.
Grammar: Countable: one epigram, two epigrams. Often followed by by or from to name the author.
Patterns
- an epigram by someone
- write an epigram
- a famous epigram
Oscar Wilde was famous for his epigrams, such as remarks that turn ordinary ideas upside down.
She collected epigrams in a notebook and quoted one whenever a conversation grew dull.
The essay opens with a short epigram that neatly sums up the whole argument.
nouncountableliterary
A brief, pointed poem, especially one with a witty or satirical ending.
Grammar: In literary studies, epigram can mean a short poem as a form, not just a one-line saying.
Patterns
- a satirical epigram
- an epigram on something
The Greek Anthology contains hundreds of epigrams on love, death, and everyday life.
He wrote a bitter epigram about politicians that was passed around in manuscript.
Word forms
| plural | epigrams |
|---|
Common combinations
- a witty epigram
- Her speech was full of witty epigrams about modern life.
- a famous epigram
- He quoted a famous epigram by Wilde to end the discussion.
- write an epigram
- The poet wrote an epigram for each of his friends.
- an epigram about something
- The play includes an epigram about the dangers of ambition.
Synonyms and how they differ
- aphorism
- An aphorism states a general truth, often without humor; an epigram is usually sharper and more playful.
- maxim
- A maxim gives practical advice or a rule of conduct, while an epigram aims mainly to amuse or surprise.
- quip
- A quip is a quick, spontaneous joke in speech; an epigram is a crafted, often written, short saying.
Word family
- epigrammatic adjective
- Expressing ideas in a short, clever, pointed way.
- epigrammatist noun
- A person who writes epigrams.
Commonly confused: epigram or epigraph? epigram or epitaph?
epigram vs epigraph
An epigraph is a short quotation placed at the start of a book or chapter; an epigram is a witty saying or short poem.
epigram vs epitaph
An epitaph is the words on a tombstone; an epigram is any short, clever saying, not necessarily about someone who has died.
Practice
Which sentence uses epigram correctly?
Choose one answer.
An epigram is a short clever saying or poem, so quoting one at the start of a novel fits. The other options confuse it with a prescription, a diagram, or a telegram.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “epigram”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.