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.
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
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
A golden vent rests at its top, the figures on its grille appearing like alien hieroglyphics.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2024
“Because this game stinks. Mr. Lemoncello just sent a bunch of holograms hurling hieroglyphics after me. He could put somebody’s eye out with those things.”
From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein
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.
