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. handwriting, esp beautiful handwriting considered as an art Also calledchirography

Derived Forms

• calligraphic, adjective
• calˈligrapher, noun
• ˌcalliˈgraphically, adverb

Other Words From

• cal·ligra·pher cal·ligra·phist noun
• cal·li·graph·ic [kal-i-, graf, -ik], calli·graphi·cal adjective
• calli·graphi·cal·ly 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

Each one is a piece of art in itself, featuring colorful and funky illustrations with beautiful calligraphy.

From Salon

Chado is remarkable because it incorporates philosophy and all the art forms — cooking, calligraphy, aesthetics, the tea itself and the sweets, ceramics — it really is a whole integrated space when you are in the tearoom.

From Los Angeles Times

“Go more slowly,” Laura Edralin, a calligraphy teacher in London, told me, as she walked around a table of beginners on a recent Wednesday night, explaining how to achieve even, flowing strokes.

From New York Times

He took pride in teaching himself calligraphy and was an avid reader, photographer and loved to listen to jazz music.

From Seattle Times

On the third floor of their building is a 1993 iteration of their “Dream House,” a public installation rigged with lavender light and a deep, droning raga — a total calligraphy.

From New York Times

Related Words

• longhand
• manuscript
• scrawl
• script
• writing