epigram

/ˈɛpɪɡɹæm/

//ˈɛpɪɡɹæm// noun

"epigram" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“epigram” is an uncommon English word, ranked #77,651 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#77,651
frequency rank, English
7
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - An inscription in stone.

Key facts for epigram
PropertyValue
Headwordepigram
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈɛpɪɡɹæm/
Letters7
Frequency rank#77,651
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “epigram” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). epigram lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for epigram is 7 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈɛpɪɡɹæm/. Corpus data places it at rank #77,651 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 3 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Zero misspellings are on record for epigram in our index, which points to an orthography that plays by predictable English rules. No confusable counterpart is on file for this word, which typically means the spelling is too distinctive to be mistaken for another word.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle French epigramme, from Latin epigramma, from Ancient Greek ἐπίγραμμα (epígramma, “inscription”). The correct English form is epigram, spelled E-P-I-G-R-A-M.

Definition

  1. 1
    An inscription in stone.
  2. 2
    A brief but witty saying.
  3. 3
    A short, witty or pithy poem.

Etymology

From Middle French epigramme, from Latin epigramma, from Ancient Greek ἐπίγραμμα (epígramma, “inscription”).

This word in other languages

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "epigram"?
"epigram" is spelled E-P-I-G-R-A-M. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈɛpɪɡɹæm/.
What does "epigram" mean?
As a noun, "epigram" means: An inscription in stone.
How do you pronounce "epigram"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "epigram" is /ˈɛpɪɡɹæm/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "epigram"?
From Middle French epigramme, from Latin epigramma, from Ancient Greek ἐπίγραμμα (epígramma, “inscription”). See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “epigram”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is E-P-I-G-R-A-M - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈɛpɪɡɹæm/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list