noun
calligraphy
kuh-LIG-ruh-fee/kəˈlɪɡrəfi/
The art of beautiful, decorative handwriting.
She practices calligraphy with careful strokes of a broad-nibbed pen.
Etymology
Beauty combined with writing gives the central idea: lettering valued for its visual form, making handwriting an art rather than merely a means of recording words.
In context
Inspired by handwriting, a script font mimics the stroke of a pen or paintbrush. The letters are often linked together. Some scripts are like calligraphy
More examples
- The invitation featured elegant calligraphy.
- The exhibition included Arabic and Chinese calligraphy.
- Years of practice gave his calligraphy a flowing rhythm.
Forms
calligraphy
calligrapher noun — A person skilled in decorative or artistic handwriting.
Similar words
- handwriting
- Any writing by hand, while calligraphy treats the form as an art.