postmodernism
C1-C2Formal, Academic
Definition
Meaning
a late 20th-century movement in philosophy, arts, architecture, and criticism that represents a departure from modernism and is characterized by self-reference, irony, and the rejection of grand narratives or absolute truth.
More broadly, it refers to a skeptical attitude toward ideologies, universal truths, and hierarchical structures, emphasizing subjectivity, pluralism, and the role of language, culture, and power in shaping reality.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is primarily used in intellectual, artistic, and academic discourse. It often carries a critical or descriptive weight, and its meaning can vary significantly between disciplines like literature, architecture, and philosophy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or pronunciation differences. The conceptual application and disciplinary focus (e.g., prominence in literary theory vs. architecture) may show slight regional variations in academic trends.
Connotations
In both regions, it can carry neutral, descriptive connotations in academic circles, but often has negative connotations in popular discourse, suggesting relativism, obscurity, or intellectual pretension.
Frequency
Equally frequent in academic writing in both regions. Slightly more prevalent in American public intellectual debate during the late 20th century 'culture wars'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Postmodernism + verb (rejects, challenges, questions, emphasizes)Adjective + postmodernism (literary, architectural, cultural, radical)Preposition + postmodernism (in postmodernism, of postmodernism, after postmodernism)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific term]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts discussing marketing trends or organizational theory that critique grand narratives.
Academic
Very common. Core term in humanities and social sciences: literary theory, philosophy, architecture, cultural studies.
Everyday
Very rare. If used, it's often in a simplified or critical way (e.g., 'That's just postmodern nonsense').
Technical
Common as a precise disciplinary label in arts and humanities scholarship.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form. Rarely, 'to postmodernise' might be used creatively.]
- [No standard verb form.]
American English
- [No standard verb form. Rarely, 'to postmodernize' might be used creatively.]
- [No standard verb form.]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form. 'Postmodernly' is non-standard and rare.]
- [No standard adverb form.]
American English
- [No standard adverb form. 'Postmodernly' is non-standard and rare.]
- [No standard adverb form.]
adjective
British English
- The building's design is distinctly postmodern.
- She wrote a postmodern critique of the classic novel.
American English
- His approach to film is heavily postmodern.
- The museum's new wing features a postmodern facade.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Too complex for A2. Not applicable.]
- Postmodernism is a difficult idea from art and philosophy.
- Some new buildings are called postmodern.
- The professor explained that postmodernism questions whether we can know absolute truth.
- Postmodern architecture often mixes traditional and modern styles in surprising ways.
- Literary postmodernism is characterised by metafiction, intertextuality, and a rejection of closure.
- The critique argued that postmodernism's relativism could lead to political quietism.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of POST-MODERN-ISM: It comes AFTER (POST) the MODERN era, challenging its ISMS (belief systems).
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/ART AS A COLLAGE or KNOWLEDGE/ART AS A PLAY OF SIGNIFIERS (emphasizing fragmentation, mixing, and self-reference over unity and depth).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'после модернизма' (after modernism) only chronologically; it's a specific theoretical stance. The established term is 'постмодернизм'.
- Do not confuse with 'postmodern' (adjective) and 'postmodernism' (noun/the movement).
- The Russian 'модерн' refers specifically to Art Nouveau, not the broader philosophical 'modernism'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'postmodern' as a synonym for 'contemporary' or simply 'new'.
- Misspelling as 'post-modernism' (hyphenated form is less standard for the noun).
- Confusing it with 'postmodernity' (the historical/cultural condition) vs. 'postmodernism' (the theories about it).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'postmodernism' LEAST likely to be commonly used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while it has prominent expressions in arts and architecture, it is fundamentally a broad intellectual movement and set of theories affecting philosophy, literature, sociology, and cultural criticism.
Modernism generally sought universal truths, coherence, and progress through reason and art. Postmodernism is skeptical of such 'grand narratives,' emphasizing relativity, fragmentation, irony, and the role of context and power.
It is notoriously difficult to define simply because it rejects simple definitions and universal claims. It is best understood as a cluster of related ideas challenging the foundations of modern thought.
Yes, its influence permeates contemporary thought in the humanities and social sciences. Debates about its legacy, especially regarding truth and objectivity, remain highly relevant in academia and public discourse.
Collections
Part of a collection
Social Theory
C1 · 47 words · Advanced vocabulary for sociology and social science.
Advanced Literary Vocabulary
C2 · 50 words · Technical terms for advanced literary analysis.