graph

1.nounA2

Definition

a diagram made with lines, bars, or curves that lets you see the relationship between two quantities — for example, rising sales across several months or climbing temperature over time.

Example

The teacher drew a graph on the board to show monthly temperature changes.

collocation: draw a graph / on a graph

Each bar on the graph represents the number of books sold that year.

Common collocations

draw a graph
line on a graph
bar on a graph
graph shows
look at a graph
read a graph

Synonyms

chart
broader term; a chart can include tables and diagrams, not just plotted data
diagram
more general; a diagram may show processes or structures rather than numeric data
plot
specifically the drawn line or curve on a graph; also used as a verb

Grammar Patterns

a graph of [something]

on a graph

Usage Note

Countable noun. Often used with prepositions 'of' (a graph of monthly rainfall) and 'on' (the data shown on a graph). The subject or context is usually data-driven fields such as business, science, or statistics.

Common Mistakes

Please look at the graph chart.

Please look at the graph.

'graph' already means a chart; using both words together is redundant.

2.nounB2

Definition

in mathematics, every point that fits a given equation or function, taken together as a visible shape — for example, the U-shaped curve you get from the equation y equals x squared.

Example

The graph of y equals x squared is a U-shaped curve called a parabola.

pattern: graph of [equation]

Ayesha drew the graph of y equals two x plus three for her math homework.

Common collocations

graph of an equation
graph of a function
graph intersects
graph shifts
draw the graph of

Synonyms

curve
the drawn line itself rather than the complete set of points; less formal in math context
function plot
specifically the visual output of a function; more technical

Grammar Patterns

the graph of [equation]

graph of [function]

Usage Note

Frequently passive in mathematical writing: 'The graph of f(x) is drawn by connecting the plotted points.' Contrast with sense 1 (DATA DIAGRAM), where the focus is on presenting real-world data; this sense focuses on the abstract mathematical relationship itself.

Common Mistakes

The graph equation is complicated.

The equation that produces this graph is complicated.

the graph is the visual result of the equation, not the equation itself.

1.verbtransitiveB1

Definition

to turn data into a complete picture on a grid, using lines, bars, or curves — the focus is on producing the final graph as a whole, not on placing points one at a time.

Example

The report graphs the rise in sea levels across the past decade.

pattern: graph + data (sea levels)

Heather used a computer program to graph her sales data for the whole team.

collocation: use [software] to graph

Common collocations

graph data
graph results
use software to graph
graph on paper

Synonyms

plot
more specific; plot often means marking individual points, while graph covers drawing the whole diagram
chart
similar meaning but broader; chart can include maps and tables

Grammar Patterns

graph [data]

graph [something] on [something]

Usage Note

The object is typically a set of measurements, statistics, or observations (e.g., sales data, temperature readings, survey responses). Often followed by 'on' + the medium (on graph paper, on a screen). This sense focuses on the finished graph as a whole; contrast with sense 2 (MARK POINTS), which concerns the individual points before a line is drawn.

Common Mistakes

I graphed a circle.

I drew a circle on the graph.

to graph means to represent data visually, not to draw an arbitrary shape.

2.verbtransitiveB1

Definition

to place individual values as dots or marks on a coordinate grid — the step-by-step process of marking each point separately, whether or not the points are later joined.

Example

Yuki carefully graphed each temperature reading on the paper with a sharp pencil.

pattern: graph [values] on [surface]

For her science experiment, Tanvi graphed the data points before drawing the best-fit line.

pattern: graph [data points] before [action]

Common collocations

graph points
graph values
graph data points
graph coordinates
graph on paper

Synonyms

plot
nearly interchangeable for this sense; 'plot points' is more common than 'graph points'
mark
less technical; simply means putting a visible dot at a coordinate

Grammar Patterns

graph [points/values] on [something]

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (CREATE DIAGRAM). Sense 1 is about producing the complete visual representation; sense 2 is specifically about placing individual points on a coordinate system before any line or curve is drawn. The object is typically concrete coordinates or readings.

1.noun combining formB2

Definition

used at the end of a word to mean 'something that is written or drawn' — for example, an autograph is a person's own handwriting or signature, and a monograph is a detailed written study on a single topic.

Example

The author signed an autograph for every fan who waited in line after the talk.

example word: autograph (self-writing = signature)

A photograph captures a moment by recording light onto a sensitive surface.

Grammar Patterns

[prefix] + graph

Usage Note

This is a suffix found in formal or technical compounds. The first part of the word usually tells you what kind of writing or drawing it is (auto- = self, photo- = light, mono- = single, litho- = stone).

2.noun combining formB2

Definition

used at the end of a word to mean 'a machine or instrument that records or sends information, images, or sound' — for example, a telegraph sends messages over a distance, and a phonograph records and plays back sound.

Example

Before telephones, people used the telegraph to send messages across long distances.

example word: telegraph (distance-writing = messaging device)

An electrocardiograph records the electrical activity of a patient's heartbeat.

Grammar Patterns

[prefix] + graph

Usage Note

Many words ending in -graph that refer to devices are being replaced by modern equivalents (people now say 'heart monitor' rather than 'cardiograph'). However, these terms remain common in scientific, medical, and historical contexts.

Common Mistakes

I bought a new telegraph.

I sent a telegram.

the telegraph is the machine; the message sent through it is a telegram.

Word family

graphic
adjectiveB1
graphical
adjectiveB2
graphically
adverbB2
graphics
nounB1
photograph
nounA2
autograph
nounB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Graph, chart, and diagram are all ways of presenting information visually, but they differ in focus. A graph specifically shows how two or more variables relate to one another using axes and plotted data — for example, a line climbing from left to right shows a rise in sales over time. A chart is a broader term that includes graphs, but also includes things like bar charts, pie charts, and flow charts. A diagram is the most general of the three; it can show how something works (a diagram of the water cycle) or how parts fit together (a diagram of an engine) without necessarily involving numeric data. In short: graph → relationships between numbers; chart → organised data visualised in various formats; diagram → explanatory drawing of a process or structure. For everyday use, if you are showing numbers on axes, 'graph' is the best choice.

graph ↗chart ↗diagram ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

graph paper
graph theory
graph database
graph layout

Adverbs

clearly graphed
carefully graphed
graphically shown

Phrases

draw a graph
read a graph
plot a graph
line graph
bar graph
graph shows

Prepositions

graph of
on a graph
in a graph
graph against

Etymology

GreekEnglish

The word 'graph' comes from the Greek word 'graphē', meaning 'writing' or 'drawing', which itself comes from the verb 'graphein' (to write or scratch). It entered English in the late 1800s as a shortening of 'graphic formula', and was used in mathematics to mean a diagram showing relationships between quantities. The combining form -graph (as in autograph, photograph) traces back to the same Greek root, where it means 'something written or recorded'.

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graph

graph — noun

1. a diagram made with lines, bars, or curves that lets you see the relationship be

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. in mathematics, every point that fits a given equation or function, taken togeth

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

graph — verb

1. to turn data into a complete picture on a grid, using lines, bars, or curves — t

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. to place individual values as dots or marks on a coordinate grid — the step-by-s

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

graph — noun combining form

1. used at the end of a word to mean 'something that is written or drawn' — for exa

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

2. used at the end of a word to mean 'a machine or instrument that records or sends

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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