noun

serif

SERR-if

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Serif (noun) means a small line added to the end of a main stroke in certain typefaces, such as Times New Roman. Example: “This heading is set in a font without serifs.”

noun

typography A small line added to the end of a main stroke in certain typefaces, such as Times New Roman.

"This heading is set in a font without serifs."

"Times New Roman is a classic serif typeface used in print."

"Look closely at the letter and you can see the small serif at its foot."

adjective

typography Describing a typeface that has serifs on its letters.

"The report uses a serif font for the body text."

"Designers often pair a serif headline with a plain body font."

"A serif typeface can look more traditional than a sans-serif one."

How to use serif

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA serif is the little foot or flourish you see on the ends of letters in fonts like Times New Roman.

When to use it

Serif is a technical term used mainly in typography and design.

Memory tip

If a letter has small strokes at its ends, the typeface is serif; if the letters are plain, it is sans-serif.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

seraph →

Common pairings

serif typeface serif font sans-serif font serif letters

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like serif.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

This heading is set in a font without _____.

Etymology

The origin of serif is not fully settled. It seems to build on older English spellings such as ceriph and seriph, which may in turn trace back to Dutch, either from schreef, meaning a stroke or line, or from a verb describing the shading of letters with fine lines. Some accounts instead point to a Late Latin word for waxen, linked to the ruled lines once used on wax writing tablets.

Origin: Dutch

Synonyms

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seriph

Antonyms

sans serif

Rhymes for serif

Sherif

See all rhymes for serif →

Frequently asked questions

What does serif mean in typography?

A serif is the small line finishing off the end of a stroke in letters of certain typefaces, such as Times New Roman.

What is the difference between serif and sans-serif fonts?

A serif font has these small finishing strokes on its letters, while a sans-serif font does not.

Where does the word serif come from?

Its exact origin is uncertain, with possible roots in an older Dutch word for a stroke or line, or in a Latin word linked to wax writing tablets.

What is the meaning of serif?

"serif" (noun) means a small line added to the end of a main stroke in certain typefaces, such as Times New Roman.