italic

Everyday

1. Printed letters that slope to the right, like handwriting, used to show titles or to make a word stand out. tree →
2. (Italic) To do with ancient Italy and its peoples and languages. tree →

In the lessons

In English and computing lessons pupils use italics for book titles, foreign words and emphasis, and press Ctrl+I (Cmd+I) to make text italic. In stories, italics often show thoughts, dreams or a word said with stress. Phrases: in italics, italic font, italic handwriting.

Examples

• The title of the book is printed in italics. tree →
• Press Ctrl+I to make your word italic. tree →
• In the story, the girl's thoughts are in italics. tree →
• My teacher writes in a neat italic hand. tree →
• Use italics for the names of ships, like the Titanic. tree →
• The word «really» was in italics to show it was said loudly. tree →
• Italic letters lean to the right. tree →
• Passages in italics indicated by underscores. tree →

Note

«In italics» uses the plural. Opposite: roman (upright) type; also compare bold. When writing by hand, underline what would be in italics in print. Comes from «Italy», where this type was invented around 1500.