ENGLISH
REFERENCE

calligraphy

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //kəˈɫɪɡɹəfi// UK //kælˈɪɡɹəfi// cal·lig·ra·phy

n. the art of beautiful handwriting using special pens or brushes. It is often used for formal invitations or artistic decorations.

n. the art of producing decorative handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush. Often associated with historical manuscripts or formal ceremonial documents.


SIMPLE

She used calligraphy to write the wedding invitations.

CONTEXTUAL

The museum exhibit features ancient Chinese calligraphy painted on delicate silk scrolls.

COMPLEX

While modern typography relies on digital precision, traditional calligraphy emphasizes the fluid movement of the hand and the varying pressure applied to the nib.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from French calligraphie, from Ancient Greek καλλιγραφία (kalligraphía, literally “pretty writing”), from κάλλος (kállos, “beauty”) + γράφω (gráphō, “to draw”).

Usage

Typically used as an uncountable noun when referring to the art form itself.

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