Etymology Map
Back to all words

Graph

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a diagram showing relationships between values

Where does the word "graph" come from? It comes from Greek graphein, adopted directly into English (1878).

1
Stage 1 of 2
graphein
Greek · ancient
"to write"
Greek, the root of 'graphic' and '-graphy'
2
Stage 2 of 2
graph
English · 1878
"diagram"
shortened from 'graphic formula' and coined by the mathematician James Joseph Sylvester
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Graph’s story begins in Greek: graphein meant “to write.” Greek, the root of 'graphic' and '-graphy'. It reached English by 1878 as graph. Shortened from 'graphic formula' and coined by the mathematician James Joseph Sylvester. Today, graph means a diagram showing relationships between values.