Word
serif
UK/sˈɛɹɪf/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small extra line at the end of a letter shape in some fonts. You can see them as the little feet on letters in Times New Roman.
n. a small stroke or line that finishes the main part of a letter, as seen in typefaces such as Times New Roman. Often contrasted with sans-serif designs, which lack these finishing strokes.
Examples
“This font has small serifs on each letter.”
“The editor chooses a serif font for the book because the small strokes help the eye move across long paragraphs.”
“The designer pairs a classic serif headline with a clean sans-serif text to balance tradition and modern clarity on the cover.”
Examples
simple
“This font has small serifs on each letter.”
contextual
“The editor chooses a serif font for the book because the small strokes help the eye move across long paragraphs.”
complex
“The designer pairs a classic serif headline with a clean sans-serif text to balance tradition and modern clarity on the cover.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “serif” in context.
Verb
01. add serif
“The new typeface adds serif details to each letterform.”
verb + noun
02. choose serif
“Choose serif for print, as it guides the eye across the page.”
verb + noun
03. pair serif
“Designers often pair serif with clean sans serif headings.”
verb + noun
04. serif guides
“Serif guides the eye smoothly along lines of text.”
noun + verb
05. serif improves
“Serif improves readability in long printed paragraphs.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. classic serif
“The book cover uses a classic serif that feels formal and timeless.”
adj + noun
07. elegant serif
“She chose an elegant serif for the wedding invitations.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. sans serif
“Websites often use sans serif for clear on-screen headings.”
prep + noun
09. serif font
“Times New Roman is the most familiar serif font worldwide.”
noun + noun
10. a traditional serif font
“The thesis was printed in a traditional serif font.”
11. add subtle serifs for readability
“The designer added subtle serifs for readability in print.”
12. pair serif with sans serif
“Pair serif with sans serif to create clear visual contrast.”
Usage
Commonly contrasted with 'sans-serif'; often used attributively in 'serif font' or 'serif typeface'.
Etymology
From earlier ceriph, ceref, of obscure derivation. There are two (not directly interrelated) candidates for a possible Dutch origin: 1.) the noun schreef (“stroke”, now also “serif” as a semantic loan), related with schrapen (“to scrape”); and 2.) the verb schrafferen (“to provide with horizontal lines, to shade”), from Italian sgraffiare. For the latter, compare German Schraffe (“serif”), although this again may be a semantic loan based on the English word rather than original to it. Alternatively, from Late Latin cerificus (“waxen”), from Latin cera (“wax”), after the ruled lines used in writing on wax tablets.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/serif