arriere-garde: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “arriere-garde” mean?
A rear guard.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rear guard; a defensive military unit protecting the rear of an army, especially during retreat.
People, ideas, or artistic styles that are conservative, old-fashioned, or resistant to change, especially in contrast to an avant-garde. Can also refer to the rearguard action of a losing political or cultural movement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used in British academic and arts discourse. In American English, 'rearguard' is more frequent for the literal sense, and the metaphorical use is rarer.
Connotations
In both variants, it carries a slightly archaic or intellectual tone. The British usage may retain a stronger historical/military connotation.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general usage. More likely to be encountered in British historical texts or high-brow cultural criticism than in American publications.
Grammar
How to Use “arriere-garde” in a Sentence
the arrière-garde of [MOVEMENT/IDEA]lead/constitute/form an arrière-gardean arrière-garde action/mentalityVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arriere-garde” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His arrière-garde views on painting were ridiculed at the exhibition.
American English
- The critic dismissed the sculptor's work as arrière-garde kitsch.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly used metaphorically to describe a company or department resistant to digital transformation.
Academic
Used in history, art history, sociology, and literary criticism to discuss conservative factions within movements.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
In military history, refers to specific tactical units.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arriere-garde”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “arriere-garde”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arriere-garde”
- Misspelling: 'arriergarde', 'ariere-garde'.
- Mispronouncing: not sounding the final 'e' in 'arrière'.
- Using it to mean simply 'old' without the connotation of active, defensive resistance to change.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While both imply resistance to change, 'arrière-garde' specifically suggests an active, often losing, defensive position against a prevailing avant-garde. It's more dynamic and conflict-oriented.
In British English, it's approximately /ˌæri.eə ˈɡɑːd/. In American English, /ˌæri.er ˈɡɑːrd/. The 'è' in 'arrière' should be pronounced, distinguishing it from 'arrear'.
Rarely. It typically carries a neutral-to-negative connotation, implying outdatedness or obstruction. However, a speaker might use it positively to valorise a principled last stand against trends they see as negative.
In literal military use, they are synonyms. Metaphorically, 'arrière-garde' is more specific to cultural/intellectual contexts and is a direct borrowing from French, often implying a more deliberate philosophical stance. 'Rearguard' is more common in general metaphorical use (e.g., 'a rearguard action').
A rear guard.
Arriere-garde is usually formal/literary in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fighting a rearguard action”
- “holding the arrière-garde”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ARRIÈRE' sounds like 'AIRY + AIR' — imagine old-fashioned generals with puffy hats (airy hair) guarding the REAR, desperately trying to stop new ideas from advancing.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL/CULTURAL CHANGE IS A MILITARY CAMPAIGN (with avant-garde as the attacking vanguard and arrière-garde as the defensive rearguard).
Practice
Quiz
In a cultural context, 'arrière-garde' is best described as: