Letters and spelling

Words with the root graph and their meaning

The root graph comes from Greek and means to write or to draw. This list gathers common words that start with, end with, or contain graph, from everyday terms like photograph to more academic words like cartography.

27 words
WordMeaningIn a sentenceSave
autographnounA person's signature, especially one given as a memento by someone famous.Fans lined up for hours to get the singer's autograph after the concert.
paragraphnounA distinct section of writing, usually several sentences long, that develops a single main idea.Each paragraph in the essay should focus on one supporting argument.
photographnounA picture produced by a camera that captures light to record an image.She took a photograph of the sunset over the mountains.
photographernounA person who takes photographs, especially as a profession or serious hobby.The wedding photographer arrived early to capture the couple getting ready.
photographicadjectiveRelating to photography or photographs, or resembling a photograph in accuracy and detail.The artist's painting was so photographic that visitors thought it was a real picture.
biographynounA written account of someone else's life, based on research and documented facts.He read a biography of Abraham Lincoln over the summer break.
biographernounA person who writes an account of another person's life.The biographer spent five years interviewing the president's former colleagues.
geographynounThe study of the physical features of the earth and how human activity relates to and shapes them.The geography course covered everything from mountain formation to global trade routes.
geographicadjectiveRelating to the physical features and location of places on Earth.The report examined geographic differences in rainfall across the continent.
graphicadjectiveDescribed or shown in vivid, explicit detail, especially something violent or disturbing.The documentary included graphic footage of the earthquake's destruction that upset some viewers.
graphitenounA soft, black, crystalline form of carbon used in pencil leads, lubricants, and batteries.The pencil's dark mark comes from a thin core of graphite mixed with clay.
graphicsnounVisual images, diagrams, or designs, especially those produced or displayed by a computer.The new video game is praised for its realistic graphics and smooth animation.
telegraphnounA system or device for sending coded messages over long distances using electrical signals.News of the victory reached the capital by telegraph within a few hours.
calligraphynounThe decorative art of producing beautiful, stylized handwriting using pens, brushes, or special tools.She practiced calligraphy for years before designing elegant wedding invitations for local couples.
choreographynounThe sequence of steps and movements arranged for a dance or theatrical performance.The choreography for the ballet combined classical technique with modern, sweeping movements.
choreographernounA person who designs and arranges the sequence of steps and movements in a dance.The choreographer spent weeks rehearsing the dancers before the opening night performance.
demographicsnounStatistical data describing a population, such as age, income, gender, or education level.The company studied the demographics of its customers before launching the new advertising campaign.
monographnounA detailed, scholarly written study focused on a single, specialized subject.Her monograph on medieval trade routes took nearly five years of research to complete.
phonographnounAn early device that recorded and played back sound using a rotating cylinder or disc and a needle.The museum displayed a working phonograph from the early twentieth century.
seismographnounAn instrument that detects and records the strength and duration of earthquake vibrations.The seismograph recorded a sudden spike when the tremor struck the city.
cartographynounThe science and practice of drawing or creating maps of geographic areas.Advances in satellite imaging have transformed cartography, making maps far more precise.
cartographernounA person who creates or draws maps, especially as a profession.The cartographer spent months surveying the coastline before drawing the new nautical charts.
lithographnounA print made from a design drawn on a flat stone or metal plate using a greasy substance.The museum displayed a rare lithograph by a famous nineteenth-century artist.
polygraphnounA device that records physical changes such as heart rate and breathing, often used to try to detect lying.The suspect agreed to take a polygraph test to prove he was telling the truth.
topographynounThe detailed physical features of a place, including its shape, elevation, and natural landmarks.The map showed the region's topography using contour lines to mark hills.
typographynounThe style, arrangement, and appearance of printed or digital text.The designer chose a bold typography to make the poster's headline stand out.
bibliographynounA list of the books, articles, or other sources used or referred to in preparing a piece of academic writing.She added ten sources to the bibliography at the end of her research paper.

Words that start with graph

Few common English words begin with the letters g-r-a-p-h itself; graphic, graphite, and graphics are the main everyday examples. Most graph words instead attach it to the end or middle of another word, as in paragraph, photograph, and geography, where graph keeps its core meaning of writing or recording something.

Frequently asked questions

What does the root graph mean?

It comes from Greek and means to write or to draw, so words like photograph and paragraph relate to writing or recording something.