How Do You Spell DINGBATS?

Pronunciation: [dˈɪŋbats] (IPA)

The word "dingbats" is spelled with five letters, but its pronunciations can be a bit tricky. The IPA phonetic transcription for "dingbats" is /ˈdɪŋbæts/. The first syllable "ding" is pronounced with a short "i" sound like in "sit". The second syllable "bat" is pronounced with a short "a" sound like in "cat". The final "s" is a silent letter, so it is not pronounced. The word refers to typographical symbols used as decorative elements, such as bullet points or ornamental borders.

DINGBATS Meaning and Definition

1. Dingbats, in the context of typography and design, refer to a collection of decorative characters or symbols that serve to enhance or embellish written text. These visual elements are often used for decoration, emphasis, or to add a touch of aesthetic interest to a design or layout. Dingbats typically comprise a set of assorted icons, shapes, arrows, ornaments, or pictograms that are unrelated to the main textual content.

   These ornamental characters are commonly found in various fonts or typefaces and can be accessed through specific keyboard shortcuts or character maps. Dingbats are frequently employed in a wide range of mediums, including printed materials like books, magazines, and posters, as well as digital formats such as websites, presentations, and social media graphics.

   The term "dingbat" can also be used more broadly to refer to a person who is perceived as foolish, eccentric, or lacking in intelligence. In this sense, it is a colloquial term, typically used informally to describe someone with peculiar or odd behavior. This usage, though unrelated to its typographic meaning, may stem from associating the term with someone who behaves in a nonsensical or scatterbrained manner.

   Overall, dingbats serve as decorative elements that add visual interest and variety to written text or designs, making them aesthetically appealing, particularly in creative and design-focused fields.

Common Misspellings for DINGBATS

• dingbatt
• diggbals
• wingebats
• dinkbatt

Etymology of DINGBATS

The word "dingbats" has an interesting etymology. It originated in the late 19th century as a term in printing and typesetting. It is derived from the phrase "dingbat type", which referred to ornamental or decorative elements used in printing. These elements included ornaments, borders, and other non-alphabetic characters.

The term "dingbat" itself is believed to be an alteration of the Scottish word "ding", which means to strike or beat. This term is used metaphorically to describe typographical ornaments that were seen as "beating" or filling empty spaces on a page.

Over time, "dingbat" expanded beyond the world of typesetting and became more generally used to refer to any kind of decorative or nonsensical symbols. Today, it can be used to describe various things, such as typographical symbols, computer icons, and even people who are considered silly or eccentric.

Similar spelling word for DINGBATS

• dingbat.