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Meaning & use

monogrammed

adjective, verb·Advanced

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UK/ˈmɒnəɡræmd/
US/ˈmɑːnəɡræmd/

Meanings

  1. adjectivebefore a noun

    Decorated with a monogram, which is a design made from a person's initials, usually sewn or printed on an item.

    Grammar: Usually goes before a noun: a monogrammed towel; it can also follow 'be'.

    Patterns

    • monogrammed with someone's initials

    She gave him a monogrammed handkerchief for his birthday.

    The hotel provides monogrammed towels for guests in the suites.

    His leather bag is monogrammed with his initials.

  2. verbtransitive

    Past tense and past participle of 'monogram': marked something with a design of initials.

    Grammar: Takes an object: she monogrammed the napkins.

    Patterns

    • monogram something with something

    The tailor monogrammed the cuff of every shirt.

    We had the glasses monogrammed for the wedding.

    He monogrammed his initials on the lid of the box.

Common combinations

a monogrammed towel
They received a monogrammed towel as a wedding present.
monogrammed initials
The monogrammed initials were stitched in gold thread.
a monogrammed shirt
He wore a monogrammed shirt with his initials on the cuff.
a monogrammed gift
A monogrammed gift feels personal.
monogrammed stationery
She wrote the thank-you notes on monogrammed stationery.

Synonyms and how they differ

personalized
This is wider and covers any custom touch, such as a name or message, while 'monogrammed' means initials.
embroidered
This describes any stitched decoration, not necessarily initials.
engraved
This is used for letters cut into metal, glass or wood, while a monogram is often sewn on cloth.
initialed
This is plainer and can mean just written initials rather than a decorative design.

Opposites

plain

Word family

monogram noun
a design of one or more letters, usually initials
monogram verb
to mark something with initials
monogramming noun
the process of adding initials to an item
gram noun
the Greek root meaning 'letter' or 'writing'

Commonly confused: monogrammed or monograph?

monogrammed vs monograph

A monograph is a detailed scholarly book on one topic and has nothing to do with initials.

Practice

The tailor sewed the owner's initials onto each cuff, so the shirts were ____.

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