pangram: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “pangram” mean?
A sentence that uses every letter of the alphabet at least once.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sentence that uses every letter of the alphabet at least once.
Most commonly used in typography, graphic design, handwriting practice, and keyboard testing to display or test fonts and letterforms. The focus is on completeness of alphabet coverage rather than coherent meaning.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both regions use the term identically within relevant technical fields.
Connotations
Neutral technical term. Associated with typography, design, and word games.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Used almost exclusively in specific professional or hobbyist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “pangram” in a Sentence
A pangram [contains/uses] every letter.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pangram” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog' is the most well-known pangram in English.
- Designers often use a pangram to preview a new typeface.
American English
- Can you think of a shorter pangram than 'Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow'?
- The software tester entered a pangram to check all keyboard keys.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in linguistics papers on writing systems or typography studies.
Everyday
Almost never used. May appear in puzzle books or design blogs.
Technical
Standard term in typography, font design, and software testing (e.g., keyboard firmware).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pangram”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pangram”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pangram”
- Using 'pangram' to refer to any short, witty sentence.
- Confusing it with 'acronym' or 'anagram'.
- Misspelling as 'pangrem' or 'pangran'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog' is the most widely known pangram, containing 35 letters.
A perfect pangram uses each letter of the alphabet exactly once. These are extremely rare and often nonsensical, like 'Mr Jock, TV quiz PhD, bags few lynx'.
Yes, the concept exists in many alphabetic languages, and the term is used internationally in typography and design circles.
A lipogram is a piece of writing that deliberately excludes one or more letters of the alphabet.
A sentence that uses every letter of the alphabet at least once.
Pangram is usually formal/technical in register.
Pangram: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpæŋ.ɡræm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpæn.ɡræm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PANGRAM = PAN (all) + GRAM (letter/writing) = a sentence with ALL LETTERS.
Conceptual Metaphor
A COMPLETE SET or a TESTING TOOL.
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining feature of a pangram?