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

Small changes in elements such as fonts or colors can have a significant impact on the content’s effectiveness. 4. —Nick Leighton, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024

Notes can also be made readable in preparation for export with a handwritten-style font. —Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 16 Oct. 2024

Known for its unfussy-chic aesthetics for tailoring, workwear and color sensibility, the MP Massimo Piombo brand will be known as Carlo Piombo going forward, with a new font and logo. —Martino Carrera, WWD, 14 Oct. 2024

An initial necklace, like this one, is simple to give since there are not a dozen fonts or colors to grapple with — the only choice to make is what initial to get, and it can be worn for multiple occasions. —Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024

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

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