Definition of serif
: any of the short lines stemming from and at an angle to the upper and lower ends of the strokes of a letter
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of serif from the Web
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The basic syntax looks like this: H2 { font-family: helvetica, impact, sans-serif }
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'serif'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of serif
Origin and Etymology of serif
probably from Dutch schreef stroke, line, from Middle Dutch, from schriven to write, from Latin scribere — more at scribe
Other Printing Terms
epigraph, errata, leader, mechanical, notch, tittle, underscore, widow
SERIF Defined for English Language Learners
serif
playDefinition of serif for English Language Learners
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: one of the short lines near the top and bottom of the long parts of some printed letters
Learn More about serif
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See words that rhyme with serif Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about serif
Seen and Heard
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