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

It came wrapped in gold foil, printed with the brand’s name in a large serif font that evokes early Mac ads. —Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025

At the most basic level, marketers need to choose between serif and sans-serif fonts. —Jessica Wong, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

Keough weaves both voices together in a dual narrative demarcated by type: Lisa Marie’s words are in a serif font, and her own are sans serif. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024

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

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

Rhymes for serif

• belief
• broadleaf
• debrief
• flyleaf
• khalif
• kharif
• longleaf
• massif
• motif
• relief
• saif
• beef

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