kerning

American  

[kur-ning] / ˈkɜr nɪŋ /

noun

Printing.

1. the setting of two letters closer together than is usual by removing space between them.

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kerning British  

/ ˈkɜːnɪŋ /

noun

1. printing the adjustment of space between the letters of words to improve the appearance of text matter

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Etymology

Origin of kerning

First recorded in 1675–85; kern ² + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The case of the New England Patriots’ underinflated footballs has touched off a hypertechnical forensic fracas like nothing since the kerning in George W. Bush’s National Guard documents.

From Slate

The type setting and irregular kerning in the names, the texture in the title, the studio photography in an exterior setting — it’s all off.

From Washington Post

The finishing airbrushing of an illo, the final tweak or kerning of an art headline, was important to him.

From Seattle Times

“The typeface, the colors, and the kerning was better on the Barack Obama T-Shirt,” wrote designers Marieke Stolk, Erwin Brinkers and Danny van den Dungen in a joint email to TIME.

From Time

From line styles to font spacing and kerning, “I can really manipulate all the variables quite easily.”

From Nature