graphology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical/Academic/Professional
Quick answer
What does “graphology” mean?
The study of handwriting, especially as a means of analyzing character and personality.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The study of handwriting, especially as a means of analyzing character and personality.
In linguistics, the study of writing systems and their relationship to language; also used in business/recruitment contexts for personality assessment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The personality assessment meaning is more established in the UK, especially in corporate/HR contexts, while in the US it may be viewed with more skepticism as pseudoscience.
Connotations
In the UK, can have a quasi-professional connotation (e.g., used in recruitment). In the US, often carries stronger connotations of pseudoscience or parlor games.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English due to more established use in business personality profiling.
Grammar
How to Use “graphology” in a Sentence
[V] graphology (e.g., 'study graphology')[Adj] graphology (e.g., 'forensic graphology')[N] of graphology (e.g., 'principles of graphology')Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “graphology” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The graphological evidence was presented in court.
- She has a keen graphological eye.
American English
- The graphological analysis suggested a detail-oriented personality.
- His graphological findings were controversial.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in some HR departments for candidate screening or team-building exercises ('The consultancy offers graphology services for recruitment').
Academic
In linguistics: the study of writing systems ('The graphology of the Devanagari script is highly systematic').
Everyday
Rare. Might be mentioned in the context of personality tests or entertainment ('They had a graphologist analyze our handwriting at the party').
Technical
Specific to handwriting analysis professionals or forensic document examiners.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “graphology”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “graphology”
- Confusing 'graphology' (handwriting analysis) with 'geography' (study of the earth).
- Using 'graphology' to mean the study of graphs/charts (that is 'graph theory' or 'data visualization').
- Misspelling as 'graphalogy'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mainstream science considers the personality assessment aspect of graphology to be a pseudoscience, as studies have not reliably proven its validity. However, forensic graphology (examining handwriting for authenticity) is a related but more specialized and evidence-based field.
Graphology typically aims to infer character or personality traits. Forensic handwriting analysis (or questioned document examination) is a forensic science focused on identifying the writer, detecting forgeries, or determining a document's authenticity, without making personality judgments.
Degrees specifically in graphology are rare and not offered by major mainstream universities. It is sometimes offered as a short course or certificate program by private institutions. The linguistic study of writing systems (also called graphology) is covered within linguistics degrees.
A graphologist.
The study of handwriting, especially as a means of analyzing character and personality.
Graphology is usually technical/academic/professional in register.
Graphology: in British English it is pronounced /ɡræˈfɒlədʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡræˈfɑːlədʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
GRAPH (as in writing) + OLOGY (study of) = the study of written (graphic) expression.
Conceptual Metaphor
HANDWRITING IS A WINDOW TO THE SOUL; THE HAND IS THE MIND'S AMANUENSIS.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'graphology' used in a purely technical, non-personality-related sense?