Meaning & Definition of word "Kern"

Kern

/kɜrn/

1. A small amount of grain or a grain or seed, especially when separated from the plant.
- Example: He collected the kerns from the harvested plants to replant next season.
2. In printing, a projecting part of a letter that extends beyond the edge of the body.
- Example: The kern of the letter 'R' added a unique flair to the typeface.

1. To adjust the position of a character in a typeface, usually to reduce space between it and an adjacent character.
- Example: The graphic designer had to kern the letters to ensure they looked visually balanced.
2. To create a small space between two characters in typesetting.
- Example: After kerned adjustments, the text read more clearly and aesthetically.

Derived from the French word 'carne', meaning 'to set in a form'.

kern it:

Adjust the spacing between characters.

tight kern:

Referring to reduced spacing between letters.

loose kern:

Referring to increased spacing between letters.

kerning:

The process of adjusting the space between characters in a piece of text.

typography:

The art and technique of arranging type.

Meaning: To make something appear more attractive by adjusting its spacing.

Example Sentence: The poster looked bad until I kerned it right.

Meaning: To manipulate text layout for better aesthetics.

Example Sentence: I kerned my title so it pops off the page.