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  

/ ˌhaɪəˈrɒɡ-, ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪst, ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪk /

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

The Egyptians also developed a simplified version of this hieroglyphic script known as hieratic, which they often employed for more mundane purposes such as recordkeeping and issuing receipts in commercial transactions.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023

At its centre are two players in elaborate headgear surrounded by hieroglyphic writing.

From BBC ● Apr. 12, 2023

Someday, they decided, they would do it all over in hieroglyphics, when they’d found time to finish their hieroglyphic alphabet, but for the present it was just written in English.

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

Certainly not the one you have in mind: bandaged dead guy, ominous hieroglyphics, maybe Brendan Fraser.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 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

The Rosetta Stone, found in 1799, provided the key to deciphering hieroglyphics; it was discovered by the French army and was seized by the British as war booty.

From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2025

“I thought those hieroglyphics were some kind of secret wise sayings,” I said as I gazed at the faded symbols on the obelisk.

From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman