serif

noun

ser·​if ˈser-əf 

: any of the short lines stemming from and at an angle to the upper and lower ends of the strokes of a letter

serifed adjective

or seriffed

ˈser-əft 

Illustration of serif

• 1 serif

Examples of serif in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From tiny, barely visible lines and dots to serif and non-serif typography, from depth ratings in meters vs. feet to crown guards that look like avian beaks, the world of vintage Rolex is positively filled with quirky idiosyncrasies that can be difficult to parse, let alone memorize. —Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 4 July 2024

John Everett Benson, a stone carver whose lapidary inscriptions mark the grave of President John F. Kennedy and sites including the National Gallery of Art, conferring elegant permanence and permanent elegance with their stately strokes and serifs, died June 13 in Newport, R.I. —Emily Langer, Washington Post, 21 June 2024

By the register were notebooks made to look like classic book covers designed by the German publisher Suhrkamp Verlag—stark, with serif text. —John Ganz, Harper's Magazine, 22 May 2024

Centuries ago, in the early days of printing presses, almost all typefaces had serifs. —Victor Mather, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from Dutch schreef stroke, line, from Middle Dutch, from schriven to write, from Latin scribere — more at scribe

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing serif

• sans serif

Kids Definition

serif

noun

ser·​if ˈser-əf 

: any of the short lines crossing the upper and lower ends of the strokes of a printed letter