monogram

American  

[mon-uh-gram] / ˈmɒn əˌgræm /

noun

1. a design consisting of two or more alphabetic letters combined or interlaced, commonly one's initials, often printed on stationery, embroidered on clothing, etc.

2. a single emblematic or decorative letter; applied initial.

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verb (used with object)

monogrammed, monogramming

1. to decorate with a monogram.

monogram British  

/ ˈmɒnəˌɡræm /

noun

1. a design of one or more letters, esp initials, embroidered on clothing, printed on stationery, etc

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verb

1. (tr; usually passive) to decorate (clothing, stationery, etc) with a monogram

Other Word Forms

• monogrammatic
  adjective
• monogrammatical
  adjective
• monogrammic
  adjective
• unmonogrammed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of monogram

1600–10; < Late Latin monogramma, irregular < Late Greek monógrammon. See mono-, -gram ¹

Explanation

If you've ever had a set of stationery with your initials printed on it, you know what a monogram is — it's those three letters at the top. When you buy a towel, a blanket, or a sweater you can often pay a little extra for a monogram, to get the initials of your first, middle, and last names embroidered on them. Writing paper, wedding invitations, envelopes, and other paper goods are commonly printed with a monogram — or monogrammed. Fancy silverware can also be imprinted with a monogram, as can gold and silver jewelry. The root is Greek, monogrammon, which means "intertwined letters."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

monogram monogrammed monogramming

Dürer was only partly successful: It was decided that Raimondi could continue copying Dürer’s work, but he was prohibited from also copying the artist’s distinctive monogram.

From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2026

Chinese media reported last week that a court in the eastern Jiangsu province ruled that the Shenzhen-based tea company had copied Louis Vuitton's iconic four-petal flower monogram trademark.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

Not everyone is compelled to spend the extra money on a monogram for their jammies, but the impulse comes from the early days of life.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2026

It’s even harder to snag a table at the cafe upstairs run by a Michelin-star chef, which serves lattes with LV monogram foam art.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 20, 2025

Dedd couldn’t be sure, but she thought she saw a zigzag of something in the front, probably the monogram.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

Another, from Ripon Cathedral, is the sole portrait without a monogrammed necklace.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026

For the winners, the champion trophy will emerge out of the monogrammed case.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

This coffee-table book takes Louis Vuitton superfans on a non-chronological trip through the archives, collaborations, window displays, movie moments and fashion designers in its monogrammed universe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 28, 2025

Created by the Herbert Johnson Hat Company in London, the inside lining features gold monogrammed initials "IJ".

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2024

But I just keep cool, even after I see this washroom with two sinks and monogrammed towels.

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi

By monogramming something, the first thing you think about is you.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2026

The monogramming team’s experience of feeling ignored is mirrored by Away’s retail employees, who’ve endured neglect as the company has expanded across the globe.

From The Verge ● Dec. 17, 2019

Add gold embossed monogramming for an extra special touch.

From Fox News ● Nov. 28, 2018

Pottery Barn Kids’ collection includes this elegant designer option, plus styles with houndstooth, linen and herringbone patterns, leather trim and a monogramming option.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 16, 2018

Local photographer Susan Saandholland helped them convert the image in Photoshop so it could be printed on fabric, and Cotton Connection, on Main Street, did some monogramming work on the finished product.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 2, 2017