minimalist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal / Informal (depends on context; art criticism is formal, lifestyle is often informal)
Quick answer
What does “minimalist” mean?
A person who seeks simplicity in all aspects of life, avoiding excess.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who seeks simplicity in all aspects of life, avoiding excess; or something designed with extreme spareness and simplicity.
In art, design, and music, a style using only the simplest and fewest elements, colours, or forms; in lifestyle, a practice of owning/consuming only what is essential, often for ethical or aesthetic reasons.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Minimaliser' is not used in English.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both variants.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; slightly more common in US media related to design and lifestyle trends.
Grammar
How to Use “minimalist” in a Sentence
[Adj] minimalist design[N] a minimalist in art[V] to live as a minimalistVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “minimalist” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We are trying to minimalist our belongings before the move.
American English
- She decided to minimalist her digital footprint.
adverb
British English
- The room was furnished very minimally, with just a bed and a desk.
American English
- She dresses minimally, sticking to a palette of black and white.
adjective
British English
- The flat had a very minimalist décor, with white walls and a single chair.
American English
- His website features a minimalist design that's easy to navigate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a lean business model or a simple, functional product design.
Academic
Used in art history, architecture, musicology, and philosophy to describe specific 20th-century movements.
Everyday
Describes a simple, tidy home, a capsule wardrobe, or a lifestyle choice to own fewer possessions.
Technical
In computing/UX, refers to an interface with minimal elements to reduce cognitive load.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “minimalist”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “minimalist”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “minimalist”
- Using 'minimalistic' as the only adjective form. While common, 'minimalist' is the standard adjective (a minimalist apartment). 'Minimalistic' is also acceptable.
- Confusing 'minimalist' with 'simple'. Minimalist implies a deliberate, often artistic, reduction.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is context-dependent. It is positive when describing elegant, intentional simplicity. It can be negative if implying something is too stark, empty, or lacking in character or comfort.
'Simple' is a general term for something not complex. 'Minimalist' implies a deliberate philosophy or style of achieving simplicity by stripping away all but the most essential elements, often for aesthetic effect.
Yes, though it's a newer, informal usage (to minimalist = to adopt a minimalist approach towards something). The standard verb is 'minimise'.
A maximalist. This refers to a style or person favouring excess, complexity, and abundance of elements, patterns, and details.
Minimalist is usually formal / informal (depends on context; art criticism is formal, lifestyle is often informal) in register.
Minimalist: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪn.ɪ.mə.lɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪn.ə.mə.lɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Less is more (associated concept, not an idiom with the word itself)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think MINImalist = focuses on the MINImum. A minimalist has the MINImum number of things.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLEANLINESS IS SIMPLICITY (a minimalist room is 'clean'); PURITY IS THE ABSENCE OF EXCESS (a minimalist design is 'pure').
Practice
Quiz
In which field did the term 'minimalist' originate as a formal movement?