font

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈfänt 

1

a

: a receptacle for baptismal water

b

: a receptacle for holy water

c

: a receptacle for various liquids

2

: source, fountain

a font of information

fontal

ˈfän-tᵊl 

adjective

font

2 of 2

noun (2)

: an assortment or set of type or characters all of one style and sometimes one size

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• cradle
• fountain
• fountainhead
• origin
• root
• seedbed
• source
• spring
• well
• wellspring

Examples of font in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a domestic diva who is a seemingly endless font of new ideas

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The headlines change their fonts, but not their message. —Marc Oestreich, National Review, 24 May 2025

Very satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied Submit Clear form Forms Some fonts could not be loaded. —The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Each change to the label, whether for color, font or naming, requires approval from the state, which usually takes 45-60 days. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 22 May 2025

There have been some changes, including a modern bronze main altar, baptismal font and lectern. —Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 21 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin font-, fons, from Latin, fountain

Noun (2)

French fonte, from Middle French, act of founding, from Vulgar Latin *fundita, feminine of funditus, past participle of Latin fundere to found, pour — more at found

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

circa 1688, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing font

• proportional font/typeface

Rhymes for font

• daunt
• flaunt
• gaunt
• haunt
• jaunt
• pont
• taunt
• vaunt
• want
• avant
• croissant
• detente

Kids Definition

font

1 of 2 noun

ˈfänt 

1

: a basin for baptismal or holy water

2

: fountain sense 2

font

2 of 2 noun

: an assortment of type or characters all of one size and style

Etymology

Noun

Old English font "basin for holy water," derived from Latin font-, fons "fountain, spring" — related to fountain

Noun

from early French fonte "act of casting metal," derived from Latin fundere "to pour melted metal into a mold" — related to found entry 3, founder entry 2