calligraphy
noun
cal·lig·ra·phy
kə-ˈli-grə-fē 
1
a
: artistic, stylized, or elegant handwriting or lettering
b
: the art of producing such writing
2
3
: an ornamental line in drawing or painting
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Kalli- is a Greek root meaning "beautiful", and "beautiful" in the case of calligraphy means artistic, stylized, and elegant. Calligraphy has existed in many cultures, including Indian, Persian, and Islamic cultures; Arabic puts a particularly high value on beautiful script, and in East Asia calligraphy has long been considered a major art. Calligraphers in the West use pens with wide nibs, with which they produce strokes of widely differing width within a single letter.
Examples of calligraphy in a Sentence
she specializes in scrollwork with beautiful calligraphy
Recent Examples on the Web
Tactile activities ranging from writing letters and typewriter clubs to TikTok communities showcasing calligraphy skills and wax seals are giving retro writing instruments a resurgence.
—
Cheyanne Mumphrey, Fortune, 17 Jan. 2026
Museums across the state feature exhibitions of Islamic art, historic documents and artifacts, including Qurans, calligraphy and more.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Enjoy lion dances, traditional music, acrobatics, local talent including K-Pop and folk performances, street food, a car exhibit, workshops including calligraphy, tea ceremony and creating decorations.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
There, the tea ceremony was both a contemplative act and an occasion to display Chinese calligraphy, paintings and ceramics.
—The Conversation, 7 Jan. 2026
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Cheyanne Mumphrey, Fortune, 17 Jan. 2026
Museums across the state feature exhibitions of Islamic art, historic documents and artifacts, including Qurans, calligraphy and more.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Enjoy lion dances, traditional music, acrobatics, local talent including K-Pop and folk performances, street food, a car exhibit, workshops including calligraphy, tea ceremony and creating decorations.
—Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 13 Jan. 2026
There, the tea ceremony was both a contemplative act and an occasion to display Chinese calligraphy, paintings and ceramics.
—The Conversation, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for calligraphy
Cite this Entry
“Calligraphy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calligraphy. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
calligraphy
noun
cal·lig·ra·phy
kə-ˈlig-rə-fē
1
a
: beautiful handwriting
b
: the art of producing such handwriting
calligrapher
noun
-rə-fər
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