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

The LV monogram was designed in 1896 by Georges Vuitton, the offspring of the brand’s namesake founder.

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

This outfit combined the designer's two famous patterns - the LV monogram pattern on the waistcoat and jacket, as well as the damier checkerboard on the shorts.

From BBC • May 5, 2025

Every time she blows her nose, she sees the monogram and that gets her started crying again.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez