hieroglyphics
Britishnoun
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a form of writing, esp as used in ancient Egypt, in which pictures or symbols are used to represent objects, concepts, or sounds
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difficult or undecipherable writing
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Present-day writing that is hard to decipher or understand is sometimes jokingly called “hieroglyphics.”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
These include the Rosetta Stone, the key to deciphering hieroglyphics, which is on display at the British Museum in London.
From BBC • Nov. 2, 2025
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
Mayer frames the story as being discovered by an archaeologist reading hieroglyphics in a tomb.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2024
He wrote messages in words and personal hieroglyphics.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
