Agency Dictionary
lettering
nounPronunciation: /ˈlɛt.ər.ɪŋ/
In Portuguese: lettering
Design
Arts, Music & MediaWhat does “lettering” mean?
The art of drawing custom typographic characters and decorative letters to create a unique illustrative composition.
Etymology
From letter with the noun-forming suffix -ing. Letter comes from Middle English lettre, from Old French letre, from Latin littera, "letter of the alphabet, written character". Lettering names the art and practice of drawing custom letters by hand, as distinct from typography (the arrangement of pre-made typefaces).
Usage note
Lettering and calligraphy overlap but are not identical. Calligraphy emphasizes the beauty of handwritten strokes; lettering emphasizes the drawing and design of custom letterforms, which may then be digitized.
Synonyms
- hand lettering
- calligraphy
Word family
- letter
- letterform
- lettered
- literal
- literary
Rhymes with
- bettering
- fettering
Usage examples
It's a lettering on my belly, I could only endure the outlining. ;-; Unfortunately, there are professionals who have great technical skills but lack the necessary sensitivity to the body they're tattooing, which makes the process worse than it already is.
Concept
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
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