bricolage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Artistic
Quick answer
What does “bricolage” mean?
The construction or creation of something from a diverse range of available items.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The construction or creation of something from a diverse range of available items; making do with what is at hand.
The intellectual approach of creatively re-purposing existing concepts, ideas, or materials to solve new problems or create new work, often associated with postmodern theory, art, design, and cultural studies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used similarly in both varieties, predominantly in academic, artistic, and design discourse. Usage is more established in British academic writing in cultural studies.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with high theory (e.g., Lévi-Strauss, Derrida) in UK contexts. In the US, it may be used more broadly in design, DIY culture, and business innovation contexts.
Frequency
Low frequency in general use. Slightly higher frequency in UK academic humanities texts.
Grammar
How to Use “bricolage” in a Sentence
[noun] is a bricolage of [plural noun]to engage in/perform/practice bricolagethe bricolage involves [gerund]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bricolage” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The artist doesn't plan meticulously; she prefers to bricoler in the studio.
- They bricoled a solution from spare parts.
American English
- (The verb 'bricolage' is very rare; 'to bricoler' is occasionally used in academic writing) He bricolered a theory from various philosophical fragments.
adverb
British English
- (Extremely rare; usually paraphrased) The model was assembled bricolage-style.
American English
- (Extremely rare) They worked bricolage-like, with no central plan.
adjective
British English
- Her bricolage approach to sculpture is widely admired.
- It was a bricolage masterpiece of found objects.
American English
- The startup had a bricolage culture, using whatever tools were free.
- His bricolage methodology yielded surprisingly robust results.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Describing innovative, resource-light business models or marketing campaigns built from existing ideas.
Academic
A key concept in anthropology, cultural studies, and postmodern theory describing how cultures or individuals construct meaning from available resources.
Everyday
Rare. Might describe a creative DIY project or a meal made from leftovers.
Technical
In art/design, describes work assembled from found or disparate objects; in computing, refers to software or systems built from existing components.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bricolage”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bricolage”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bricolage”
- Mispronouncing with a hard 'g' (/ɡ/) instead of the French soft 'g' (/ʒ/). Using it as a verb (to bricolage) is non-standard, though 'to bricoler' exists rarely. Confusing it with simple 'collage'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. While both involve making things oneself, 'bricolage' emphasizes the creative, improvisational, and intellectual process of using whatever heterogeneous materials are at hand. DIY can be more planned and follow specific instructions.
In standard English, it is almost exclusively a noun. The French verb 'bricoler' is occasionally used in specialised academic or artistic writing, but 'to bricolage' is generally considered non-standard. It's safer to use phrases like 'to engage in bricolage'.
A 'collage' is a specific artistic technique of sticking various materials onto a surface. 'Bricolage' is a broader concept describing the *process* of creative construction from diverse resources; it can apply to ideas, theories, objects, or systems, not just visual art.
It is usually neutral or positive, connoting creativity, resourcefulness, and adaptability. However, in some critical contexts, it might imply a lack of originality or a disjointed, haphazard result if used pejoratively.
The construction or creation of something from a diverse range of available items.
Bricolage is usually formal, academic, artistic in register.
Bricolage: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbriː.kə.lɑːʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbriː.koʊˈlɑːʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly; the word itself is often used metaphorically]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BRICk-OLAGE: imagine building a creative wall (like a bricklayer) with an odd collage of different materials you find lying around.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/CULTURE/ART AS A DIY CONSTRUCTION FROM SCAVENGED PARTS.
Practice
Quiz
In cultural studies, 'bricolage' most closely refers to: