hieroglyphic

American  

[hahy-er-uh-glif-ik, hahy-ruh-] / ˌhaɪ ər əˈglɪf ɪk, ˌhaɪ rə- /

adjective

1. Also hieroglyphical. designating or pertaining to a pictographic script, particularly that of the ancient Egyptians, in which many of the symbols are conventionalized, recognizable pictures of the things represented.

2. inscribed with hieroglyphic symbols.

3. hard to decipher; hard to read.

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noun

• hieroglyphics
  plural

1. Also hieroglyph a hieroglyphic symbol.

2. Usually hieroglyphics. hieroglyphic writing.

3. a figure or symbol with a hidden meaning.

4. hieroglyphics, handwriting, figures, characters, code, etc., difficult to decipher.

   the confusing hieroglyphics of advanced mathematics.

hieroglyphic British  

/ ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪk, ˌhaɪəˈrɒɡ- /

adjective

1. of or relating to a form of writing using picture symbols, esp as used in ancient Egypt

2. written with hieroglyphic symbols

3. difficult to read or decipher

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noun

1. a picture or symbol representing an object, concept, or sound

2. a symbol or picture that is difficult to read or decipher

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• hieroglyphist
  noun
• hieroglyphically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• hieroglyphics
  plural

Etymology

Origin of hieroglyphic

1575–85; < Late Latin hieroglyphicus < Greek hieroglyphikós “pertaining to sacred writing.” See hiero-, glyph ( def. ), -ic ( def. )

Explanation

If your written language consists of pictures rather than letters and words, your written communication would be hieroglyphic in nature. Ancient Egyptian writing was hieroglyphic. The pictures that make up hieroglyphic language are called hieroglyphs. The word descended from the Greek hierogluphikos which could be translated to mean "sacred carvings." Back when written communication was literally carved in stone, most of what was written was important, or "sacred." Today if someone describes your handwriting as hieroglyphic, they mean something quite different — your writing is awful and illegible.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hieroglyphic hieroglyphics

Think of each as equivalent to a hieroglyphic image.

From Science Magazine ● May 7, 2024

A math lesson, for instance, might feature hieroglyphic numerals.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 26, 2023

"It is rare to find hieroglyphic writing at this Maya site, and even rarer to find a complete text. This hasn't happened in 11 years," archaeologist Francisco Pérez Ruiz explained.

From BBC ● Apr. 12, 2023

"In this Mayan site, it is rare to find hieroglyphic writing, let alone a complete text," said Francisco Perez, one of the archaeologists coordinating the investigations in the Chichanchob complex, also called Casa Colorada.

From Reuters ● Apr. 11, 2023

So towards the end of the hieroglyphic period, when he’d learned about as much Egyptian writing as he felt ready for, he hadn’t had very much to do.

From "The Egypt Game" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

His images conjure illuminated manuscripts, textiles, hieroglyphics, board games, musical scores, and tribal and children’s art, while echoing the structures of animals, crystals, plants and cells.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Much like the Rosetta Stone helped scientists interpret ancient hieroglyphics, V1298 Tau provides a key reference for understanding how the galaxy's most common planets take shape.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 31, 2026

In his short but intense career, Haring’s pulsating figures became an inextricable part of New York City life, like ancient hieroglyphics that weren’t as much drawn as unearthed.

From New York Times ● Apr. 17, 2024

There’s all these hieroglyphics all over it, so I don’t know where to read.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2023

“Take that one,” she suggested, and pointed the scuffed tip of her hard black shoe at a large book that was decorated with Egyptian hieroglyphics.

From "Dead End in Norvelt" by Jack Gantos