Typeface: meaning, definitions and examples

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typeface

 

[ˈtaɪpfeɪs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

graphic design

The particular design of a set of letters, numbers, or symbols used in printing or on a screen.

Synonyms

font, lettering, script.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
typeface

Use 'typeface' when referring to the design of a set of characters, including letters, numbers, and symbols. It's often used in discussions about graphic design or typography.

  • Choosing the right typeface can significantly impact the readability of your document.
  • Modern typefaces often blend traditional elements with innovative features.
font

Use 'font' when describing the specific size, weight, and style of a typeface. It is frequently mentioned in digital design, web development, and print media.

  • Make sure to use a readable font size for your website content.
  • She prefers italic fonts for her design projects.
lettering

Use 'lettering' when referring to the art of drawing letters, especially in a decorative or hand-crafted manner. It's often used in contexts involving graphic design, signage, and custom artwork.

  • The wedding invitations featured beautiful hand-drawn lettering.
  • He's taking a course in decorative lettering.
script

Use 'script' to talk about styles of writing that resemble handwriting, cursive, or calligraphy. It is often used in contexts where an elegant or personal touch is important, such as invitations or logos.

  • The café's logo use a stylish script that makes it stand out.
  • Scripts are often used in formal documents and personal letters.

Examples of usage

  • This typeface is very modern and sleek.
  • I love the typeface they used for the logo.
Context #2 | Noun

typography

A particular design of type, including not only the shape of the characters but also the spacing between them.

Synonyms

font, print, style.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
typeface

Used in design and typography to refer to a set of characters that share a common design. It encompasses the entire set of characters including letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and symbols.

  • The chosen typeface for the book gives it an elegant and classic look.
  • Designers often spend hours choosing the perfect typeface for a project.
font

A specific size, weight, and style of a typeface. It is the concrete means by which text is printed or displayed.

  • She changed the font to a larger size to make the text more readable.
  • The menu was printed using a decorative font that matched the restaurant's theme.
style

A broader term that refers to the overall appearance of text, including font choice, size, color, and formatting elements like bold or italics.

  • They wanted a formal style for the wedding invitations, so they chose elegant fonts and a classic layout.
  • The programming guide includes several coding style recommendations.
print

Usually refers to the physical reproduction of text or images using a printing process. It can also refer to text as it appears on a printed page, as opposed to digital formats.

  • The quality of the print on this brochure is outstanding.
  • After editing the document on the computer, she decided to make a print copy for the meeting.

Examples of usage

  • The typeface of this book makes it very easy to read.
  • Choosing the right typeface is crucial for a good design.
Context #3 | Noun

publishing

A set of one or more fonts, each composed of glyphs that share common design features.

Synonyms

character set, font family, glyph set.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
typeface

Refers to the design of the characters, often used in graphic design, typography, and publishing.

  • The company’s new branding uses a modern typeface.
  • Choosing the right typeface is crucial for readability.
font family

Represents a grouping of related typefaces that share a common design, often used in design and web development.

  • The website uses the Arial font family for all text elements.
  • She prefers to work with the Helvetica font family.
character set

Refers to a collection of characters that a particular type of software or hardware can represent and process. Commonly used in computer programming and digital communication.

  • The ASCII character set includes letters, digits, and symbols.
  • This software supports the UTF-8 character set.
glyph set

A collection of distinct visual symbols or shapes that represent characters in a typeface. Often used in software development and typography.

  • This symbol is missing from our current glyph set.
  • The glyph set includes all the variations of the letter ‘a’.

Examples of usage

  • The magazine uses a unique typeface for its headlines.
  • The typeface choice can greatly impact the readability of the text.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The term originates from the printing industry in the 15th century, when types were cast from metal to create text on paper.
  • The first movable type was created by Johannes Gutenberg in the 1440s, revolutionizing how text was printed and shared.

Design

  • There are thousands of different typefaces today, each conveying a unique feel: some are serious, others are playful.
  • Typefaces are categorized into groups like serif (with little lines at the ends of letters) and sans-serif (without those lines), affecting readability.

Pop Culture

  • Famous designers such as Paul Renner created the iconic Futura typeface, influencing modern graphic design significantly.
  • The comic book font, Comic Sans, is both loved and criticized, often representing casual or fun text, despite its divisive nature.

Technology

  • With digital design, typefaces can be created and manipulated easily using software, allowing for endless customization options.
  • Web design relies on typefaces heavily; various styles can impact user experience and engagement on websites.

Psychology

  • Research suggests that the typeface used can influence how readers perceive the content, with some fonts making text seem more trustworthy.
  • The power of typography is such that it can evoke emotions; for example, a script font may feel more intimate than a bold sans-serif.

Translations

Translations of the word "typeface" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tipo de letra

🇮🇳 टाइपफेस

🇩🇪 Schriftbild

🇮🇩 jenis huruf

🇺🇦 гарнітура

🇵🇱 krój pisma

🇯🇵 書体 (しょたい)

🇫🇷 police de caractères

🇪🇸 tipografía

🇹🇷 yazı tipi

🇰🇷 서체

🇸🇦 نوع الخط

🇨🇿 písmo

🇸🇰 písmo

🇨🇳 字体

🇸🇮 tipografija

🇮🇸 letur

🇰🇿 қаріп

🇬🇪 შრიფტი

🇦🇿 şrift

🇲🇽 tipografía

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,460, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.