calligraphy
noun
cal·lig·ra·phy
kə-ˈli-grə-fē 
1
a
: artistic, stylized, or elegant handwriting or lettering
b
: the art of producing such writing
2
3
: an ornamental line in drawing or painting
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Kalli- is a Greek root meaning "beautiful", and "beautiful" in the case of calligraphy means artistic, stylized, and elegant. Calligraphy has existed in many cultures, including Indian, Persian, and Islamic cultures; Arabic puts a particularly high value on beautiful script, and in East Asia calligraphy has long been considered a major art. Calligraphers in the West use pens with wide nibs, with which they produce strokes of widely differing width within a single letter.
Examples of calligraphy in a Sentence
she specializes in scrollwork with beautiful calligraphy
Recent Examples on the Web
Its five tapering stories are adorned with intricate calligraphy, floral motifs, and geometric patterns.
—
Shalbha Sarda, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2025
The mural uses a fluid script-like form of calligraphy called Siyah Mashq, which has its own natural artistic flow and shapes.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
Related Articles Holiday festivities kick into high gear at massive Wang YMCA of Chinatown party
Along with the parade, a Culture Village in Chinatown showcased the origin story behind the Chinese zodiac, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese arts and crafts, and more.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2025
Sisters are encouraged to develop a personal craft, such as leatherwork, calligraphy, embroidery, or making rosaries, soap, candles, or icons.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
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Shalbha Sarda, Architectural Digest, 4 Mar. 2025
The mural uses a fluid script-like form of calligraphy called Siyah Mashq, which has its own natural artistic flow and shapes.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025
Related Articles Holiday festivities kick into high gear at massive Wang YMCA of Chinatown party
Along with the parade, a Culture Village in Chinatown showcased the origin story behind the Chinese zodiac, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese arts and crafts, and more.
—Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2025
Sisters are encouraged to develop a personal craft, such as leatherwork, calligraphy, embroidery, or making rosaries, soap, candles, or icons.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for calligraphy
Articles Related to calligraphy
Cite this Entry
“Calligraphy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calligraphy. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
calligraphy
noun
cal·lig·ra·phy
kə-ˈlig-rə-fē
1
a
: beautiful handwriting
b
: the art of producing such handwriting
calligrapher
noun
-rə-fər
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