minimalism

[ min-uh-muh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. Music. a reductive style or school of modern music utilizing only simple sonorities, rhythms, and patterns, with minimal embellishment or orchestrational complexity, and characterized by protracted repetition of figurations, obsessive structural rigor, and often a pulsing, hypnotic effect.
2. minimal art.
3. an aesthetic, particularly in design, decor, and fashion, favoring simplicity, clean lines, and neutral colors over pattern, ornament, and brighter colors.
4. a lifestyle involving a reduction or simplification of one’s material possessions that frees one to lead an existence that is more intentional, purposeful, spiritual, etc.:

   Inspired by a guru of minimalism, the couple sold their house and began living on the road in an RV.

minimalism

/ ˈmɪnɪməˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. another name for minimal art
2. a type of music based on simple elements and avoiding elaboration or embellishment
3. design or style in which the simplest and fewest elements are used to create the maximum effect

Word History and Origins

Origin of minimalism¹

First recorded in 1965–70; minimal + -ism

Example Sentences

It’s a sinister mode of decadence — decadent minimalism, where overt virtue signaling meets seemingly neurotic purity fantasies, where customers dance in the glow of the glare on bulk bins.

From Los Angeles Times

Little, who is one of the most successful out-there American opera composers, has long mixed rock and minimalism and a kind of narrative neo-Romanticism into dramatically gripping but straightforward opera.

From Los Angeles Times

With his ruthless dedication to minimalism, Beckett reinvented whatever artistic form he happened to be working in.

From Los Angeles Times

While neutral color palettes and “tone on tone” may appeal to those who love minimalism, adding a “pop of color” can help to energize a space.

From Seattle Times

So leathers, more tailored silhouettes, minimalism with function — it’s come together into this idea of “cyber prep.”

From Los Angeles Times

More About Minimalism

What does minimalism mean?

Minimalism most generally refers to a style or approach that uses a small number of elements.

More specifically, it can refer to a type of painting or sculpture (sometimes called minimal art), music, or other art form that typically uses the simplest and fewest elements with the goal of creating the maximum effect. In this sense, it is sometimes capitalized.

The adjective form minimalist can be used to describe such art forms, or more generally to describe a simple style or approach. As a noun, it can be used to refer to an artist who practices Minimalism or, more generally, to a person who favors a simple style or approach.

The related adjective minimalistic is used to describe something that is stripped down to its most essential elements or uses only what is needed. Both minimalist and minimalistic can be used to describe things that are simplified and include only the most basic components, without embellishment.

Example: Jane says she prefers minimalism when it comes to interior design, but to me it just looks like her house is missing a lot of furniture.

Where does minimalism come from?

The first records of the word minimalism in English come from the 1900s. Minimalism and its related forms are all built on the adjective minimal, which means “least possible.” Minimal is ultimately derived from the Latin minimus, meaning “smallest.”

The Minimalism art movement developed in the 1960s. The movement valued radical simplicity (like a painting of a single color) to prevent outside meaning being imposed on the artwork. In design and architecture, minimalism often consists of a neutral color palette and little adornment. The term and approach can be applied to any art form or task that focuses on a few, simple elements. In a more general sense, someone who practices minimalism in their lifestyle usually has limited possessions and adheres to the motto “less is more.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of minimalism?

• minimalist (adjective)
• minimalistic (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with minimalism? 

• minimum
• minor
• minus

What are some words that often get used in discussing minimalism?

• art
• essential
• simplicity
• modernism
• lifestyle
• declutter

How is minimalism used in real life?

Minimalism is often used in the context of art, design, and lifestyle.

An influential practitioner of what would come to be called—much to his chagrin—Minimalism, Donald Judd preferred to describe his often sleek, industrially fabricated works as "specific objects," neither painting nor sculpture as understood traditionally. #NowOnView pic.twitter.com/sezAdk4kJs

— Art Institute (@artinstitutechi) December 19, 2018

Practicing minimalism is the most liberating thing I've ever done. It put me in position of financial independence and gave me a sense of self detached from physical possessions and status symbols.

— Kelsey Hightower (@kelseyhightower) June 11, 2020

As I start packing up my place in Hoptown, I realize I have way too much stuff.

I think minimalism is in my future.

— Tyler Dixon (@tdixonOT) June 14, 2020

 

 

Try using minimalism!

Is minimalism used correctly in the following sentence?

The painting is a classic example of minimalism—it only uses a few simple shapes and muted colors.