What does hieroglyphic mean?
Hieroglyphic means relating to hieroglyphs, the ancient Egyptian system of writing that combined pictorial signs with signs representing consonants and other sounds. The term is most often used as an adjective, as in “Egyptian hieroglyphic writing,” and can also refer broadly to writing that appears intricate, symbolic, or difficult to decipher. Hieroglyphs were employed for religious, administrative, commemorative, and monumental texts; they appeared on temple walls, monuments, and objects such as scrolls and coffins. Although individual signs often resemble people, animals, plants, or objects, they could function in complex ways and were not simply literal pictures. In modern English, “hieroglyphics” is also used for an array of mysterious-looking signs. The adjective hieroglyphic and the collective noun hieroglyphics are common in descriptions of Egyptian inscriptions, archaeology, art history, and decipherment.
Relating to hieroglyphic writing or resembling a hieroglyph.
"The translator was trying to interpret the hieroglyphic text carved above the doorway."
The phrase Egyptian hieroglyphic is especially common. The word can also be used figuratively for unusually complicated writing.
A symbol, character, or inscription belonging to hieroglyphic writing.
"The engraved slab contains a single hieroglyphic framed by two vertical lines."
Hieroglyph or hieroglyphs is usually clearer when referring to an individual symbol; hieroglyphics commonly means the symbols or writing collectively.
Usually used collectively for ancient Egyptian symbols or inscriptions; the singular noun hieroglyphic is relatively uncommon.
"Scholars spent centuries working out how to read Egyptian hieroglyphics."
Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs were not merely pictures: more than a thousand signs could represent sounds as well as ideas.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hieroglyphic come from?
Hieroglyphic comes from Greek hieros, meaning “sacred,” and glyphein, meaning “to carve.” The resulting Greek compound hieroglyphikon referred to sacred carved signs used in Egyptian writing. The word entered English during the early 17th century in connection with ancient Egyptian inscriptions. Its Greek relatives include hierarchy, hieroglyph, and hierophant, all associated with the same sacred-writing tradition.
Related word forms
How hieroglyphic is actually used
Hieroglyphic is used mainly as an adjective, including in the form Egyptian hieroglyphic. The noun hieroglyphic is relatively uncommon in modern English; hieroglyph or hieroglyphs is often preferred for an individual symbol, while hieroglyphics commonly denotes the writing system or inscriptions collectively. The adjective can also be used figuratively to describe writing that resembles a maze of symbols.
Easily confused with hieroglyphic
A hieroglyph is an individual symbol, whereas a hieroglyphic describes the writing system or its symbols.
Hieroglyphics usually refers collectively to ancient Egyptian symbols or inscriptions, while hieroglyphic is normally an adjective.