boldface

American  

[bohld-feys] / ˈboʊldˌfeɪs /

noun

1. type or print that has thick, heavy lines, used for emphasis, headings, etc. This is a sample of boldface

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adjective

1. typeset or printed in boldface.

verb (used with object)

boldfaced, boldfacing

1. to mark (copy) to be set in boldface.

Etymology

Origin of boldface

First recorded in 1685–95; bold + face

Example Sentences

“Lewd,” “weird” and “creepy” were some of the words used to describe Mr. Jefferies—in enormous boldface type on the front pages of the British papers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 31, 2025

But many outlets, such as this one, presented the speech with the lines used in the ad in boldface, so anyone could see there was no misrepresentation of Reagan’s general feelings about trade and tariffs.

From Salon • Oct. 29, 2025

Since then, an estimated 6.7 million visitors have made their way inside to take in contemporary art by boldface names, among them Ed Ruscha, Robert Rauschenberg, Kara Walker and Mark Bradford.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2025

Expect some boldface DJs to spin on weekends.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 15, 2023

Other terms seem to be introduced with no rationale other than that they look impressive when printed in boldface type inside a little box in the middle of the page.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Related Words

• font