gram: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal for unit of mass; Informal for 'Instagram'/'grandmother'.
Quick answer
What does “gram” mean?
A metric unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a kilogram.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A metric unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a kilogram.
In medical contexts, a 'Gram stain' (after Hans Christian Gram) for classifying bacteria; informally, can refer to photographs, especially on social media (a clipped form of 'Instagram'), or to a grandmother (informal, clipped form).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The primary unit meaning is identical. The clipped form 'gram' for 'grandmother' is more common in US English than in UK English. The spelling 'gramme' is an older, chiefly British variant for the unit, now largely obsolete in favour of 'gram'.
Connotations
As a unit, neutral. As 'gram' for a photo, it carries connotations of youth culture and social media.
Frequency
The unit sense is medium frequency in general language but high in scientific/culinary contexts. The social media sense is very high frequency in informal digital contexts, particularly among younger speakers.
Grammar
How to Use “gram” in a Sentence
[Number] gram(s) of [noun] (e.g., 50 grams of flour)Post/check/share a [Adjective] gramVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gram” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I need to gram that amazing sunset later.
American English
- She grammed the concert highlights in real time.
adjective
American English
- She makes the best gram-worthy pancakes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in food/product labelling specifications (e.g., 'net weight 200g').
Academic
Standard in scientific writing (chemistry, biology, nutrition, physics).
Everyday
Common in cooking/recipes, diet/nutrition tracking, and informal digital talk ('Did you see my latest gram?').
Technical
Fundamental unit in the metric system; essential in laboratory work, pharmacology, and food science.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gram”
- Using 'gram' as a plural without -s in formal writing (incorrect: 'It weighs 500 gram'; correct: 'It weighs 500 grams').
- Confusing 'gram' (unit) with 'grain' (a small particle or a different unit of weight).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Gramme' is an older spelling, chiefly British, and is now considered obsolete in scientific and international contexts. 'Gram' is the standard modern spelling.
Yes, informally, meaning to post a picture on Instagram (e.g., 'I'm going to gram this meal'). This is colloquial and not used in formal writing.
A gram is a base unit of mass in the metric system. A kilogram is 1000 grams and is the SI base unit for mass.
It refers to a classification of bacteria that retain a violet stain (the Gram stain) due to the structure of their cell walls, important for identifying and treating infections.
A metric unit of mass equal to one thousandth of a kilogram.
Gram is usually neutral to formal for unit of mass; informal for 'instagram'/'grandmother'. in register.
Gram: in British English it is pronounced /ɡræm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡræm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not worth a gram (rare variant of 'not worth a grain')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a paperclip – it weighs about one GRAM. GRAM rhymes with SPAM, but you wouldn't want a gram of spam.
Conceptual Metaphor
SMALL AMOUNT IS LIGHT (a gram is a prototypical small weight).
Practice
Quiz
In informal digital language, 'to gram' something most likely means: