italic

/ɪˈtælɪk/

/ɪˈtælɪk/

Other forms: italics; italically

Italic is a typeface or font style that slants to the right. Most writers use italic type to emphasize certain words or phrases.

You can use the word italic as a noun or an adjective, usually in the form "italic type," or italics. Either way, it describes the kind of cursive-styled typeface that leans at an angle. Some writers use italic type to indicate a character's speech, or to emphasize words the character stresses. You can also use italic type for words in foreign languages or the titles of long works, like novels or films.

Definitions of italic

1. adjective

   characterized by slanting characters
   “italic characters”
2. noun

   a style of handwriting with the letters slanting to the right
   type of:

   cursive, cursive script, longhand, running hand

   rapid handwriting in which letters are set down in full and are cursively connected within words without lifting the writing implement from the paper
3. noun

   a typeface with letters slanting upward to the right
   type of:

   case, face, fount, typeface

   a specific size and style of type within a type family