: a typeface having comparatively light thin lines
also : printing in lightface

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lightface was in 1831

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Cite this Entry

“Lightface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightface. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

: the style of printing type used for ordinary text (as in books)
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