Definitions
01artistic/literary movement
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. a style in art, architecture, and literature from the early 1900s that tried to find new ways to express the modern world.
n. a movement in the arts and literature that flourished in the early 20th century, characterized by a deliberate departure from tradition and the use of innovative forms of expression.
“The course covers the impact of modernism on early 20th-century poetry and painting.”
“High modernism in literature often employed stream-of-consciousness techniques to reflect the fragmented nature of human experience in the industrial age.”
Usage
Often capitalized when referring to the specific historical movement.
Teaching tip
Learners should distinguish this from 'modernity', which refers to the state of being modern rather than the specific artistic movement.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02modern character or ideas
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. modern ideas, methods, or ways of thinking.
n. the quality or state of being modern; modern thought, character, or practice.
“The building's design was a perfect example of mid-century modernism.”
“The architect sought to infuse the project with a sense of modernism that respected the surrounding historical context.”
Usage
Uncountable in this sense.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03religious movement
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Religion Technical · Formal
n. a movement in the Catholic Church that tried to combine traditional beliefs with modern science.
n. a movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that sought to reconcile Roman Catholic dogma with modern scientific and philosophical thought.
“The Pope issued a decree against modernism in the early 1900s.”
“The theological debate over modernism led to significant friction between progressive thinkers and the conservative hierarchy of the Church.”
Usage
Usually capitalized in a religious context.
Teaching tip
This is a very niche sense; unless teaching theology or history, focus on the artistic sense.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Nearby, the wall of a farmhouse has been built by artist and architect Courage Dzidula Kpodo out of red earth clay, a material lost as modernism brought in concrete.” “Modern pastiches of traditional art mix awkwardly with European and American-style modernism from the 1900s to 1950s.” “Milton Keynes turns 50 next year and its high modernism has become heritage, a window into the successes and failures of recent decades.” Etymology
From modern + -ism.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domains
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/modernism
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR