cryptogram: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “cryptogram” mean?
A text written in code or cipher.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A text written in code or cipher; a message deliberately disguised so that only those with the key can read it.
Any puzzle, game, or piece of art that involves the encoding or decoding of a message, often for entertainment or challenge.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage differences. Spelling is consistent. The term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral and factual in both varieties, associated with puzzles, espionage, and historical codes.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, used mainly in specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cryptogram” in a Sentence
[Verb] a/the cryptogram (e.g., solve, decode, create, find)The cryptogram [Verb] (e.g., contains, reveals, conceals)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cryptogram” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The document appeared to be cryptogrammed using a classic Caesar shift.
- They would often cryptogram their notes during the war.
American English
- The message was cryptogrammed with a one-time pad.
- He cryptogrammed the location so only his partner could find it.
adverb
British English
- [Extremely rare; no standard examples. Conceptually: 'The message was written cryptogrammatically.']
American English
- [Extremely rare; no standard examples. Conceptually: 'The data was stored cryptogrammatically.']
adjective
British English
- The cryptogrammic puzzle proved too difficult for the novice.
- They discovered a cryptogrammic layer in the manuscript.
American English
- The book contained a series of cryptogrammic challenges.
- We analyzed the cryptogrammic nature of the transmission.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might be used metaphorically in cybersecurity discussions ('The data breach left behind a digital cryptogram for investigators').
Academic
Used in fields like history, linguistics, and computer science to describe historical documents or cryptographic challenges.
Everyday
Most commonly encountered in the context of puzzle books, games, or escape room challenges.
Technical
Precise term in cryptography and information security for the encrypted output of a cipher.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cryptogram”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cryptogram”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cryptogram”
- Misspelling as 'cryptograph' (which is a device or the act of writing in code).
- Confusing with 'anagram' (a rearrangement of letters).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A cipher is the algorithm or system used to encrypt a message. A cryptogram is the actual encrypted message (the result of applying the cipher).
No. While often used for entertainment, the term also applies to any real encoded message, such as those used in espionage or historical documents. In a puzzle context, it implies the solver must find the key.
Yes, in technical terms, an encrypted computer file is essentially a digital cryptogram, as it is data transformed into an unreadable form without the correct decryption key.
A simple substitution cipher, where each letter of the alphabet is consistently replaced by another letter or symbol. These are common in puzzle books and newspapers.
A text written in code or cipher.
Cryptogram is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Cryptogram: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪptə(ʊ)ɡram/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɪptəˌɡræm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CRYPTO' (hidden/secret) + 'GRAM' (something written, like a telegram) = a secretly written message.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MESSAGE IS A LOCKED CONTAINER (to be unlocked/deciphered); A PUZZLE IS A JOURNEY (to be solved/navigated).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'cryptogram' be LEAST appropriate?