calligraphy

[kuh-lig-ruh-fee]

noun

1. fancy penmanship, especially highly decorative handwriting, as with a great many flourishes.

   She appreciated the calligraphy of the 18th century.

2. handwriting; penmanship.

3. the art of writing beautifully.

   He studied calligraphy when he was a young man.

4. a script, usually cursive, although sometimes angular, produced chiefly by brush, especially Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic writing of high aesthetic value.

5. Fine Arts.,  line or a group of lines either derived from or resembling letter forms and characterized by qualities usually associated with cursive writing, especially that produced with a brush or pen.

calligraphy

/ kəˈlɪɡrəfɪ, ˌkælɪˈɡræfɪk /

noun

1. Also called: chirography. handwriting, esp beautiful handwriting considered as an art

Other Word Forms

• calligrapher noun
• calligraphist noun
• calligraphic adjective
• calligraphical adjective
• calligraphically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of calligraphy¹

First recorded in 1605–15, calligraphy is from the Greek word kalligraphía beautiful writing. See calli-, -graphy

Example Sentences

Mothersbaugh always knew he’d be in a band, but he went to Kent State to study art, especially drawn to printmaking and calligraphy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her grandmother taught tea ceremonies, and her grandfather taught calligraphy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Meghan radiates serenity and smiles brightly as she writes her own menus in impeccable calligraphy, guided by renowned chef Alice Waters.

Read more on Salon

Troy Aikman’s handwriting, for instance, is so precise it almost looks like calligraphy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Other events will include the Turner Prize, a national drawing project inspired by Bradford-born artist David Hockney, and an exhibition about the parallels between boxing and calligraphy.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• longhand 
• manuscript 
• scrawl 
• script 
• writing