vignette

[ vin-yet ]

noun

1. a decorative design or small illustration used on the title page of a book or at the beginning or end of a chapter.
2. an engraving, drawing, photograph, or the like that is shaded off gradually at the edges so as to leave no definite line at the border.
3. a decorative design representing branches, leaves, grapes, or the like, as in a manuscript.
4. any small, pleasing picture or view.
5. a small, graceful literary sketch.

verb (used with object)

, vi·gnet·ted, vi·gnet·ting.

1. Photography. to finish (a picture, photograph, etc.) in the manner of a vignette.

vignette

/ vɪˈnjɛt /

noun

1. a small illustration placed at the beginning or end of a book or chapter
2. a short graceful literary essay or sketch
3. a photograph, drawing, etc, with edges that are shaded off
4. architect a carved ornamentation that has a design based upon tendrils, leaves, etc
5. any small endearing scene, view, picture, etc

verb

1. to finish (a photograph, picture, etc) with a fading border in the form of a vignette
2. 1. to decorate with vignettes
   2. to portray in or as in a vignette

Derived Forms

• viˈgnettist, noun

Other Words From

• vi·gnettist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vignette¹

1745–55; < French: literally, little vine ( vine, -ette ); so called from vinelike decorations in early books

Word History and Origins

Origin of vignette¹

C18: from French, literally: little vine, from vigne vine ; with reference to the vine motif frequently used in embellishments to a text

Example Sentences

The work proceeds as a series of movements, one vignette succeeding the next in a way that can feel static from a dramatic standpoint.

From Los Angeles Times

The exhibit allows for their work to come together in depicting a rich vignette of “the culture.”

From Los Angeles Times

Conservative Hollywood figures like Candace Cameron Bure and Rob Schneider also joined in on the complaints against the Olympics for one particular vignette in the sprawling four-hour spectacle that traversed Paris, from the sewers to the Louvre.

From Salon

This wasn't the only vignette that was met with criticism.

From Salon

Here is the relevant vignette from CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday, in conversation with host Margaret Brennan.

From Slate

Related Words

• scenario
• scene
• sketch