bourke-white: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (proper noun of a historical figure)Formal, academic, historical, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “bourke-white” mean?
A proper noun referring to Margaret Bourke-White, a pioneering American photojournalist and war correspondent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun referring to Margaret Bourke-White, a pioneering American photojournalist and war correspondent.
Used as a metonym for groundbreaking female photojournalism, Life magazine's iconic photography, or the intersection of art and documentary in mid-20th century media.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, though she is an American figure, so references may be slightly more frequent in US historical/media contexts.
Connotations
Connotes pioneering spirit, artistic bravery, historical significance in photography. In feminist discourse, symbolizes breaking gender barriers in a male-dominated field.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general discourse. Higher frequency in specific academic fields like history of photography, journalism, American studies, or women's studies.
Grammar
How to Use “bourke-white” in a Sentence
[Subject] studied Bourke-White.[Subject] was influenced by Bourke-White.[Subject] resembles a Bourke-White photograph.The exhibition features Bourke-White.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bourke-white” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The curator aims to Bourke-White the exhibition, focusing on stark industrial contrasts.
- She didn't just photograph the scene; she Bourke-Whited it, finding its profound human element.
American English
- The journalist sought to Bourke-White the event, creating an iconic front-page image.
- He Bourke-Whited his travel portfolio, emphasizing dramatic composition and social context.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Possibly in contexts about media history or branding related to photography.
Academic
Common in history, media studies, art history, photography, journalism, and gender studies papers and lectures.
Everyday
Very rare. Used mainly by photography enthusiasts or those discussing historical figures.
Technical
Used in photography criticism, historiography of journalism, and academic biographies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bourke-white”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bourke-white”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bourke-white”
- Misspelling as 'Burke-White' (dropping the 'o').
- Using lowercase ('bourke-white').
- Confusing her with other mid-century photographers like Dorothea Lange.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While famous as a war correspondent, she was also a pioneer in industrial and architectural photography, and her work encompassed social documentary, portraiture, and advertising.
One of her most iconic images is 'At the Time of the Louisville Flood' (1937), which shows African American men and women in a breadline in front of a billboard depicting a white, prosperous family with the slogan 'World's Highest Standard of Living'.
It is part of her professional surname. She combined her maiden name (Bourke) with her first husband's surname (White), creating the hyphenated name under which she became famous. It distinguishes her as a specific individual.
It is almost exclusively a proper noun. The occasional figurative use (e.g., 'a Bourke-White moment') is a stylistic choice and remains a reference to her specific style and legacy.
A proper noun referring to Margaret Bourke-White, a pioneering American photojournalist and war correspondent.
Bourke-white is usually formal, academic, historical, journalistic in register.
Bourke-white: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɜːk ˈwaɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɜːrk ˈhwaɪt/ or /ˌbɜːrk ˈwaɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a Bourke-White moment (a visually striking, historically significant scene worthy of documentary photography)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Bourke-White captured the right (white) light in her work.' Or associate 'Bourke' with 'work' she did.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LENS ON HISTORY (she is the instrument through which we see historical events); A PIONEERING PATH (she represents forging a new trail).
Practice
Quiz
In which field did Margaret Bourke-White primarily make her historical impact?