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

From Seattle Times

It highlights just how much thought goes into making sure the thickness, kerning, and size of a font is optimal for the environment where it’s viewed.

From The Verge

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

A lot of Mr. Villanueva’s work involves drawing the same letters over and over at his desk, obsessing about kerning, the squeezing of space between characters.

From New York Times

Something about its kerning recalls the Old West, but the font could be on the menu of a subway-tiled nouveau-barbecue joint in Austin or the business card of a tech entrepreneur at South by Southwest.

From The New Yorker