digraph: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, technical (linguistics, computing, mathematics)
Quick answer
What does “digraph” mean?
A pair of letters used together to represent a single sound, distinct from the sounds of the individual letters.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A pair of letters used together to represent a single sound, distinct from the sounds of the individual letters.
In computing and graph theory, a directed graph (often shortened to digraph) representing a set of vertices connected by edges with a direction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency, specialised term in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “digraph” in a Sentence
The digraph [represents/indicates/stands for] a single phoneme.In the word '[example]', '[letters]' is a digraph.The algorithm processes the data as a digraph.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “digraph” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The 'ph' in 'phone' is a digraph representing the /f/ sound.
- The linguist explained the function of each digraph in the Old English text.
- The network was modelled as a complex digraph.
American English
- Teachers often highlight vowel digraphs like 'ea' and 'oa' in reading lessons.
- The paper analyzed consonant digraph frequency in American children's books.
- The programmer used a digraph to map the dependencies between modules.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. May appear in technical discussions of data structures or encryption.
Academic
Common in linguistics, computer science, and mathematics papers.
Everyday
Very rare. Used mainly by educators when teaching reading or spelling.
Technical
Primary context. Precise term in linguistics, graph theory, and cryptography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “digraph”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “digraph”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “digraph”
- Confusing 'digraph' with 'blend' (e.g., 'bl' in 'black' where both sounds are heard).
- Pronouncing it as /dɪˈɡræf/ (stressing the second syllable).
- Using it to refer to any two-letter abbreviation (e.g., 'UK', 'US'), which are initialisms, not digraphs.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'ch' is a consonant digraph representing the /tʃ/ sound.
In a digraph (e.g., 'sh'), the two letters make one new sound. In a blend (e.g., 'st'), you can hear the sounds of both letters blended together.
No, by definition a digraph has two letters. A sequence of three or more letters representing one sound is called a 'trigraph' (e.g., 'tch') or 'tetragraph'.
Only etymologically (both come from Greek for 'two' and 'writing'). In practice, they are completely different concepts: one is about letters/sounds, the other about graph theory.
A pair of letters used together to represent a single sound, distinct from the sounds of the individual letters.
Digraph is usually formal, technical (linguistics, computing, mathematics) in register.
Digraph: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdaɪ.ɡrɑːf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdaɪ.ɡræf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word parts: 'di-' meaning 'two' and '-graph' meaning 'writing'. A digraph is 'two letters written together' for one sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TEAM OF LETTERS: Two letters working together as a single unit to produce a sound they cannot make alone.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a true statement about a linguistic digraph?