croquis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C1/C2 level). Specialized term used primarily in art, fashion, and design contexts.Formal/Technical. Used in artistic, academic, and professional settings. Rare in casual conversation.
Quick answer
What does “croquis” mean?
A quick, rough drawing or sketch, especially one made as a preliminary study.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A quick, rough drawing or sketch, especially one made as a preliminary study.
In fashion, art, and design, a rapid outline sketch capturing the essence of a figure, garment, or idea before detailed work. Can also refer to a brief written outline or plan.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is used identically in both varieties within relevant professional fields.
Connotations
Carries a connotation of sophistication and technical artistic skill. Its French origin adds an air of professionalism and tradition, especially in fashion.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both regions, confined to specific domains. Slightly more common in British fashion journalism due to historical Paris-London influence.
Grammar
How to Use “croquis” in a Sentence
create a croquis of [something]work from a croquissketch a croquisthe croquis shows [feature]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “croquis” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The designer's initial croquis captured the fluid drape of the fabric beautifully.
- Her portfolio was filled with croquis of London street scenes.
American English
- The architect presented a croquis of the building's facade before the detailed plans.
- Fashion students learn to draw a nine-head figure for their croquis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in design-led businesses (e.g., 'The product design began with a simple croquis.')
Academic
Used in art history, fine arts, and design courses ('The lecture analyzed the artist's preliminary croquis.')
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in fashion design ('She drafted the croquis for the new collection.') and architectural sketching.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “croquis”
- Pronouncing it as /ˈkrɒkwɪs/ (like 'croquet').
- Using it to refer to any sketch, losing the nuance of it being a rapid, preliminary study.
- Spelling: 'croquee', 'croquise'.
- Treating it as a mass noun (e.g., 'some croquis') instead of a count noun ('a croquis', 'several croquis').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While strongly associated with fashion figure drawings, a croquis can be a quick sketch of any subject—a building, an object, or a landscape—as a preliminary study.
The plural is also 'croquis'. It is an invariable noun borrowed from French (e.g., 'She reviewed all the croquis').
A croquis has a deliberate, preparatory artistic purpose. A doodle is an absent-minded or casual drawing made while one's attention is elsewhere.
No, it is exclusively a noun in English. You 'sketch a croquis' or 'create a croquis'.
A quick, rough drawing or sketch, especially one made as a preliminary study.
Croquis is usually formal/technical. used in artistic, academic, and professional settings. rare in casual conversation. in register.
Croquis: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrəʊkiː/, and in American English it is pronounced /kroʊˈkiː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is a technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CROQUIS' sounds like 'CROOK-ed sketch' – a quick, not-straight, rough drawing.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CROQUIS IS A SEED (it contains the potential form of the final work). A CROQUIS IS A MAP (it charts the initial territory of an idea).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'croquis' MOST specifically and commonly used?