Meaning: The art of beautiful and decorative handwriting.
Hindi: सुलेख कला
Synonyms: penmanship, handwriting art, script art
Asked in: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Higher Secondary Level) · SSC CHSL 2025 T-1 · SSC MTS 2025 · SSC CPO 2025 T-1 · SSC CPO 2023 T-1 · SSC CHSL 2021 T-1
calligraphy in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CHSL 2025 T-1 One Word Substitution
Choose the correct one-word substitute for:
"The art of beautiful handwriting."Answer & explanation
Answer: A) Calligraphy
Correct Answer: Option 1 — "Calligraphy"
"Calligraphy" = the art of producing decorative handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush; beautiful handwriting; the visual art related to writing. ✓
Etymology: Greek ' kallos ' (beauty) + ' graphia ' (writing) = beautiful writing. ✓
Why other options are wrong:
Option 2 'Orthography' = the conventional spelling system of a language; the study of correct spelling. From Greek ' orthos ' (correct) + ' graphia ' (writing) = correct writing/spelling. Orthography is about correct spelling, not beautiful handwriting. ✗
Option 3 'Lexicography' = the practice of compiling dictionaries; the craft of writing and editing dictionaries. Nothing to do with hand - SSC MTS 2025 One Word Substitution
Choose the most suitable one-word substitution for the following.
The art of beautiful handwriting.Answer & explanation
Answer: B) Calligraphy
The correct answer is Option 2: "Calligraphy."
"Calligraphy" is the art of producing beautiful, decorative handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush. The word comes from the Greek " kallos " (beauty) + " graphia " (writing).
Why the other options are wrong:
• Option 1 – "Typography" is the art and technique of arranging type in printed documents; it refers to printed/digital text arrangement, not handwriting.
• Option 3 – "Etymology" is the study of the origin and history of words; unrelated to handwriting.
• Option 4 – "Lithography" is a printing process using a flat plate; unrelated to handwriting. - SSC CPO 2025 T-1 One Word Substitution
Choose the correct one-word substitution for the blank in the sentence below.
Despite the rise of digital art, Maya chose to specialize in _______, dedicating hours to perfecting each elegant stroke by hand.Answer & explanation
Answer: B) calligraphy
Correct Answer: Option 2 — calligraphy
Calligraphy is the art of beautiful, decorative handwriting — 'each elegant stroke by hand' directly describes this practice.
Why Option 2 is correct: The key clues are 'elegant stroke' and 'by hand,' both of which define calligraphy precisely.
Why the others are wrong:
Option 1 — Typography is the art of arranging printed/digital type; it is not done 'by hand stroke.'
Option 3 — Cartography is the science and art of map-making, unrelated to elegant hand strokes.
Option 4 — Photography involves capturing images with a camera, not hand strokes. - SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Higher Secondary Level) One Word Substitution
What is the art of beautiful handwriting called?
Answer & explanation
Answer: A) Calligraphy
Meaning: calligraphy = the art of beautiful, decorative handwriting *(सुलेख, सुंदर लिखावट की कला)*.
Greek *kallos* = beauty + *graphein* = to write: literally beautiful writing.
Why the others are wrong.
#B Typography = the art of arranging printed type, fonts and spacing *(मुद्रण-कला, टाइप-विन्यास)* — printed, not handwritten.
#B Graffiti = writing or drawings scribbled or sprayed on public walls *(दीवारों पर लिखावट/चित्रकारी)*.
#B Cartography = the science and art of making maps *(मानचित्र-कला)*.
Answer: Calligraphy
*Kalli- = beautiful: calligraphy (writing), callisthenics (exercise for beauty and strength).* - SSC CPO 2023 T-1 One Word Substitution
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the underlined group of words.
How did you become interested in learning the art of producing beautiful handwriting?Answer & explanation
Answer: B) Calligraphy
The option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the underlined group of words is: Calligraphy
Calligraphy: The art of beautiful handwriting; decorative handwriting or lettering with a pen or brush.
Graphology: The study of handwriting, especially as used to infer a person's character.
Lexicography: The practice of compiling dictionaries or the scholarly discipline of analyzing and describing the words, meanings, and uses of words in dictionaries.
Demography: The statistical study of human populations, especially with reference to size and density, distribution, and vital statistics.
Examples
- “She practices calligraphy to write elegant wedding invitations.”
calligraphy – questions
What is the meaning of calligraphy in Hindi?
calligraphy means “सुलेख कला” in Hindi. In English: The art of beautiful and decorative handwriting.
What are the synonyms of calligraphy?
Synonyms of calligraphy: penmanship, handwriting art, script art.
Has calligraphy been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – calligraphy has been asked 6 times in SSC exams: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Higher Secondary Level), SSC CHSL 2025 T-1, SSC MTS 2025, SSC CPO 2025 T-1, SSC CPO 2023 T-1, SSC CHSL 2021 T-1.