Word
kerning
Phoneticskern·ing
Definition
n. the process of adjusting the space between two specific letters in a piece of text. You do this to make the words look balanced and easier to read.
n. the adjustment of the horizontal space between individual letter pairs in a typeface. Typically used to correct visually uneven gaps between specific character combinations like 'VA' or 'Te'.
Examples
“The bad kerning makes the letters look too close together.”
“After choosing the font for the logo, the designer spent an hour fine-tuning the kerning to ensure the brand name looked professional.”
“While tracking adjusts the spacing across an entire block of text, kerning focuses on the relationship between specific pairs to achieve a harmonious typographic rhythm.”
Examples
simple
“The bad kerning makes the letters look too close together.”
contextual
“After choosing the font for the logo, the designer spent an hour fine-tuning the kerning to ensure the brand name looked professional.”
complex
“While tracking adjusts the spacing across an entire block of text, kerning focuses on the relationship between specific pairs to achieve a harmonious typographic rhythm.”
Usage
Often used as a gerund noun in design and typography contexts.
Pitfall
The kerning between all the words is too wide.
The tracking between all the words is too wide.
Learners often confuse 'kerning' (space between individual letters) with 'tracking' (uniform spacing across a range of characters) or 'word spacing'.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/kerning