corbusier: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowAcademic, Technical, Artistic
Quick answer
What does “corbusier” mean?
A style, principle, or feature characteristic of the work of the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style, principle, or feature characteristic of the work of the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret).
Used attributively to describe architecture, furniture, or design elements that reflect the modernist, functionalist, and brutalist principles advocated by Le Corbusier, such as the use of raw concrete, pilotis, open floor plans, and ribbon windows.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical and confined to the same specialist registers in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries the same connotations of modernist architectural ideology and historical significance.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, appearing primarily in architectural discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “corbusier” in a Sentence
Attributive adjective (Corbusier principles)Noun modifier in compound (Corbusier-inspired)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corbusier” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The building's Corbusier facade of raw béton brut divides local opinion.
- They sourced a vintage Corbusier chaise longue for the lobby.
American English
- The apartment complex has a distinctly Corbusier feel with its pilotis and roof garden.
- His design philosophy is heavily Corbusier in its emphasis on form following function.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might be used in high-end real estate or design furniture marketing.
Academic
Common in architecture, art history, and design studies texts.
Everyday
Virtually unused except by enthusiasts.
Technical
Standard term in architectural criticism and history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “corbusier”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “corbusier”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corbusier”
- Misspelling as 'Corbusieur' or 'Corbuzier'.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a corbusier') instead of an attributive adjective.
- Mispronouncing the final syllable as '-zier' instead of '-zjay'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency term used almost exclusively in discussions of architecture and design history.
No, it is not used as a verb. It functions as a proper noun or, more commonly, as an attributive adjective.
'Corbusier' refers specifically to the ideas and style of Le Corbusier, a founding figure. 'Brutalist' describes a broader architectural movement that was influenced by him, characterized by rugged concrete aesthetics.
In British English: /ˌkɔːbjuˈzjeɪ/ (kor-byoo-ZYAY). In American English: /ˌkɔːrbuːˈzjeɪ/ (kor-boo-ZYAY). The final syllable rhymes with 'play'.
A style, principle, or feature characteristic of the work of the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret).
Corbusier is usually academic, technical, artistic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Corbusier of the digital age (metaphorical, rare)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'core' building that is 'busier' with concrete shapes than with decoration – Corbusier.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE IS A PERSON'S LEGACY (The ideas of one man define a visual language).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'Corbusier' primarily used?