hieroglyphics

British  

/ ˌhaɪərəˈɡlɪfɪks /

noun

1. a form of writing, esp as used in ancient Egypt, in which pictures or symbols are used to represent objects, concepts, or sounds

2. difficult or undecipherable writing

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hieroglyphics Cultural  

1. A system of writing with pictures that represent words or sounds. The ancient Egyptians wrote with hieroglyphics. (See Rosetta stone.)

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Discover More

Present-day writing that is hard to decipher or understand is sometimes jokingly called “hieroglyphics.”

Example Sentences

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

Mayer frames the story as being discovered by an archaeologist reading hieroglyphics in a tomb.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2024

While most of the structures were unadorned the team found, upside down in a stairway, a block with hieroglyphics that appears to have been from another Maya settlement.

From New York Times • Jul. 20, 2023

As an adult, Champollion succeeded; fulfilling his childhood ambition, he provided a brilliant decipherment of the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• calligraphy
• longhand
• manuscript
• scrawl
• script
• writing