isogram
C2Technical/Linguistics/Specialised
Definition
Meaning
A word, phrase, or sentence in which no letter of the alphabet occurs more than once.
In linguistics, a word or phrase containing each letter of a given alphabet exactly once. In cartography and meteorology, it refers to a line on a map connecting points of equal value for a given variable, such as temperature (isotherm) or pressure (isobar).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term has two distinct meanings: the linguistic definition is the primary one in general language contexts, while the cartographic/meteorological definition is subordinate and more common in scientific writing. The linguistic meaning is a hyponym of "pangram" (a sentence using every letter at least once).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
In both dialects, the term is highly specialised and academic.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, found almost exclusively in linguistic or scientific texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The word 'X' is an isogram.An isogram is a word where no letter repeats.A classic example of a linguistic isogram is 'subdermatoglyphic'.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Never used.
Academic
Used in linguistic studies, word games, and occasionally in geography/meteorology papers discussing isolines.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Might appear in word puzzle contexts.
Technical
The primary context, especially in linguistics and cartography.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The puzzle required an isogrammatic solution.
American English
- Finding an isogrammatic phrase was the challenge.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- 'Uncopyrightable' is an example of an isogram.
- The word 'isogram' itself is not an isogram because the 's' and 'o' repeat.
- Linguists were fascinated by the 15-letter medical isogram 'subdermatoglyphic'.
- In cartography, an isotherm is a specific type of isogram representing equal temperature.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ISOGRAM: Imagine ISOlated letters, each GRAMmatically appearing just once.
Conceptual Metaphor
A UNIQUE COLLECTION (each item appears only once).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'изограмма' (a rare term for a diagram of equal values). The linguistic meaning has no direct common Russian equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'isogram' with 'pangram' (which uses all letters at least once).
- Using it in general conversation where 'word without repeating letters' would be clearer.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes an isogram in linguistics?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, because the letters 's', 'o', and 'm' appear more than once.
The 15-letter word 'subdermatoglyphic' (relating to the underlying layer of the skin) is a well-known long isogram.
An isogram has no repeated letters. A pangram uses every letter of the alphabet at least once (e.g., 'The quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog').
In geography and meteorology, it can be a general term for a line on a map connecting points of equal value (e.g., isobar, isotherm), though 'isoline' is more common.