Word
brutalist
Phoneticsbru·tal·ist
US/ˈbɹutəlɪst/
UK/bɹˈuːtəlˌɪst/
Definition
adj. describing a style of building from the 1950s to the 1970s that uses a lot of plain, grey concrete. These buildings often look heavy, blocky, and very simple.
adj. relating to a style of architecture emerging in the mid-20th century, characterised by the use of raw, unadorned concrete and massive, geometric forms. Often used to describe functionalist urban structures.
Examples
“The university library is a famous brutalist building.”
“Many people find the brutalist apartment blocks in the city center to be cold and intimidating.”
“While critics once dismissed brutalist structures as eyesores, a new generation of architects is fighting to preserve these concrete landmarks for their honest expression of material.”
Examples
simple
“The university library is a famous brutalist building.”
contextual
“Many people find the brutalist apartment blocks in the city center to be cold and intimidating.”
complex
“While critics once dismissed brutalist structures as eyesores, a new generation of architects is fighting to preserve these concrete landmarks for their honest expression of material.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “brutalist” in context.
Verb
01. brutalist defends
“The brutalist defends raw concrete as honest and democratic.”
noun + verb
02. demolish brutalist
“The council plans to demolish the brutalist and build new flats.”
verb + noun
03. dismiss as brutalist
“Many visitors dismiss the tower as brutalist and ugly without going inside.”
verb + prep + adj
Adjective
04. brutalist architecture
“The city is famous for its stark brutalist architecture from the 1960s.”
adj + noun
05. brutalist building
“That brutalist building was once voted the ugliest in the city.”
adj + noun
06. brutalist design
“Critics say the brutalist design feels cold and unwelcoming.”
adj + noun
07. brutalist estate
“She grew up on a vast brutalist estate in east London.”
adj + noun
08. brutalist style
“The museum was built in a heavy brutalist style using raw concrete.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. example of brutalist
“The National Theatre is a classic example of brutalist architecture.”
noun + prep + adj
10. icon of brutalist
“The Barbican Centre remains an icon of brutalist design in Britain.”
noun + prep + adj
11. built in brutalist style
“The car park was built in brutalist style in the early 1970s.”
12. classic example of brutalist architecture
“The town hall is a classic example of brutalist architecture.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun like 'architecture', 'building', or 'concrete'.
Etymology
From brutal + -ist, first appearing in the mid-20th century to describe the architectural movement characterised by raw, unadorned concrete. The term was notably championed by the British architect Peter Smithson in 1953 and later formalised by the critic Reyner Banham in his 1955 essay, The New Brutalism. While the English adjective brutal is present, the specific architectural designation draws from the French béton brut, or raw concrete, a phrase associated with the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Rare
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/brutalist