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.

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verb (used with object)

monogrammed, monogramming

1. to decorate with a monogram.

monogram British  

/ ˌmɒnəɡrəˈmætɪk, ˈmɒnəˌɡræm /

noun

1. a design of one or more letters, esp initials, embroidered on clothing, printed on stationery, etc

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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

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

From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026

Not everyone is compelled to spend the extra money on a monogram for their jammies, but the impulse comes from the early days of life.

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

Then, he’ll draw the monogram, crest or other design on the painted silver.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2025

Blood leeched through the silk handkerchief Frankie had wrapped my hand in, blotting out the monogram embroidered in Gothic script.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Presiding over the festivities was Frank Seddio, the club’s 79-year-old chairman, who was wearing suspenders and a monogrammed dress shirt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2025

As an ambitious and miserable Yale philosophy professor, Julia Roberts paces Luca Guadagnino’s pretend-provocative noir “After the Hunt” in a prepster uniform of monogrammed tote bag and immaculate white slacks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2025

Dressed in denim and a monogrammed windbreaker, cradling a cup of coffee, he was casual and unassuming, perfectly attired for fact-finding on a late fall morning.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2024

Some waded in the ocean, while others sat under umbrellas with white monogrammed towels on their chairs.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2023

She was the most popular girl in their form, her school bag made of thick monogrammed leather, her san-dais always different from what anybody else had.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

For a personal touch, monogramming for up to three letters is also an option.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 1, 2022

In previous years, full-time monogramming artists were included in company-wide events, like Away’s annual holiday party.

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