Word
Definition
n. the style, shape, or size of letters used in a sign, book, or design. You use this word when talking about how the written characters look rather than what they say.
n. the style or arrangement of written characters on a surface. Refers to the physical appearance and design of letters rather than the linguistic content.
Examples
“The gold lettering on the cover looks very elegant.”
“The shop owner chose bold, red lettering to make the sign visible from across the street.”
“The manuscript is notable for its intricate Gothic lettering, which suggests it was produced by a highly skilled scribe in a wealthy monastery.”
Examples
simple
“The gold lettering on the cover looks very elegant.”
contextual
“The shop owner chose bold, red lettering to make the sign visible from across the street.”
complex
“The manuscript is notable for its intricate Gothic lettering, which suggests it was produced by a highly skilled scribe in a wealthy monastery.”
Usage
Typically used in the singular to describe a collective style or set of characters.
Real-World Examples
“He was last seen wearing a dark blue T-shirt with white lettering and “8” on the front, grey track pants and carrying a brown cardboard box.” “Lettering or images on the back of the shirt will add friction, which hinders an athlete's ability to perform some down rock moves.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/lettering
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0