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.

---

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

---

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

"And I lived that as an early teen. I was desperate for the monogram Gucci washbag."

From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026

I don’t monogram my clothes for myself, even if it seems like it from the outside.

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

The monogram on her handkerchief, scratchy against my cheek.

From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd

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

They divorced several years later, but she kept his last name, partly because her mother hated the idea of wasting wedding gifts of monogrammed linens.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025

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

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2024

After a while I noticed other niceties of his dress, the monogrammed cufflinks, the Italian loafers.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

The six options for customization include sleeves with wrap-around ruffles, couture-inspired pouf sleeves, feather-embellished sleeves, ruffled cuffs, sequined floral embroidery or beaded Arabesque embroidery as well as monogramming.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2020

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

Pottery Barn Kids’ collection includes bags with houndstooth, linen and herringbone patterns, leather trim and a monogramming option.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 31, 2018

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---