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  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of monogram

1600–10; < Late Latin monogramma, irregular < Late Greek monógrammon. See mono-, -gram ¹

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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

Chinese media reported last week that a court in the eastern Jiangsu province ruled that the Shenzhen-based tea company had copied Louis Vuitton's iconic four-petal flower monogram trademark.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 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

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

I didn’t see any words etched there, but I did find a small monogram etched in the center of the key’s crystal handle, a single calligraphic letter “A” that I recognized immediately.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

Creators found themselves on the defensive after attending an OpenAI event at Wildflower Farms, a resort in Hudson Valley, N.Y., where they received monogrammed pajamas and OpenAI-branded honey.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

With each passing month, the book club became more elaborate and more involved — including vacations in coastal towns, costuming, pickleball tournaments and monogrammed custom merch.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026

This coffee-table book takes Louis Vuitton superfans on a non-chronological trip through the archives, collaborations, window displays, movie moments and fashion designers in its monogrammed universe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 28, 2025

Rivera, the cook, received a white monogrammed Michelin chef’s jacket, which hangs in his closet because it’s too warm for his broiling workplace, and he doesn’t want to get it dirty working the greasy grill.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2024

Rex was wearing shorts and a monogrammed shirt, ripped at the shoulder, showing tanned skin.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Just like bespoke, you can choose from a variety of details — buttons, fabrics, patterns and monogramming.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2024

The company has eight retail locations in cities across the US, a store in London, and a new monogramming outpost in Brooklyn.

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

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