Italics/ɪˈtælɪks/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Emphasize Importance Italics highlight important words or phrases in a text, drawing attention to them. Remember to complete your essays by Friday. Pro Tip 2/3Titles and Names Use italics for titles of books, films, artworks, and scientific names. Did you read 'To Kill a Mockingbird'? Pro Tip 3/3Foreign Words Foreign words within an English text are often written in italics for clarity. The menu featured the Italian dessert 'tiramisu'.