font

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

font

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈfänt How to pronounce font (audio)
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 How to pronounce font (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of font

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Noun (2)

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Examples of font in a Sentence

Noun (2) a domestic diva who is a seemingly endless font of new ideas
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
New wayfinding signs are in Vanderbilt’s preferred font (Libre Calson), and the school’s name is shown in gold lettering above a new iron gate on 21st Street. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 26 Aug. 2026 Many of them supplement the text with photographs, epigraphs, glossaries, family trees, sketches, timelines, variant tables of contents, alternating fonts and notes to the reader. — Christopher Coffman, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026 Having labels with various fonts, colors, and patterns can look loud, from your body wash and hand soap in the bathroom to the labels on your cooking essentials, candles, and other decorative items throughout the house. — Amanda Sims, Architectural Digest, 21 Aug. 2026 All of these texts have been printed and laid-out in shots that showcase the variety of fonts and paper stocks used. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for font

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1664, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of font was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing font

Rhymes for font

See All Rhymes for font

Browse Nearby Words

fons et origo
font
Fontainea
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Font.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/font. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

font

1 of 2 noun
ˈfänt How to pronounce font (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on font

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about font

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