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Graphic Design vocabulary · Typography

Serif

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

/ˈsɛrɪf/nounCore term

In graphic design, serif means: A small line or foot at the end of the strokes of a letter, as in Times or Garamond. A typeface with these details is also called a serif.

In Turkish: tırnak, tırnaklı yazı karakteri, serif

How it is used

Used to describe and choose typefaces. People say a serif, a serif font or a serif typeface, and often link serifs with tradition, books and trust. Turkish designers say tırnaklı.

Example sentences

  1. For a law firm, a serif feels more established than a rounded sans.

  2. The headline uses an elegant serif, and the body text is set in a simple sans-serif.

Common collocations

  • serif typeface
  • serif font
  • classic serif
  • slab serif
  • sans-serifDescribes letters without serifs, the small feet at the ends of strokes, as in Helvetica, Arial or Futura. Such typefaces often look clean and modern.
  • typefaceA particular design of letters, numbers and symbols that share the same style, such as Helvetica, Garamond or Futura, usually available in several weights and styles.
  • legibilityHow easily individual letters and words can be recognised, which depends on the typeface design, size, contrast and viewing conditions.
  • font familyA group of related fonts that share the same design but differ in weight, width or style, for example Roboto Light, Roboto Regular, Roboto Bold and Roboto Italic.

More terms: Typography

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