rembrandt: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Artistic
Quick answer
What does “rembrandt” mean?
A proper noun referring to Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, the famous 17th-century Dutch painter and etcher.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun referring to Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, the famous 17th-century Dutch painter and etcher.
Used to refer to the artist's works, his distinctive style (characterized by dramatic lighting and psychological depth), or as a metonym for exceptional artistic skill or authenticity in painting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical connotations of Old Master artistry, value, and genius in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to artistic, historical, and cultural contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “rembrandt” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun] (subject/object)a/the [Rembrandt] (as a countable noun)[Rembrandt]-[Noun] (attributive use)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rembrandt” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The chiaroscuro was truly Rembrandtesque.
- He has a Rembrandt-like quality in his portraits.
American English
- The lighting was positively Rembrandtesque.
- She admired the Rembrandt-like depth of the painting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like art insurance, auction houses, or investment in fine art ('The portfolio includes a Rembrandt.').
Academic
Common in art history, history, and cultural studies ('The lecture focused on Rembrandt's use of chiaroscuro.').
Everyday
Low frequency. Used when discussing art, museums, or high value ('We saw a real Rembrandt at the gallery.').
Technical
Used in conservation, provenance research, and art authentication ('The x-ray revealed a pentimento typical of Rembrandt.').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “rembrandt”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “rembrandt”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rembrandt”
- Misspelling as 'Rembrant' (missing 'd').
- Using lowercase ('a rembrandt').
- Incorrect pluralisation ('Rembrandts' is correct for multiple paintings).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as it is a proper noun (a surname). Even when used to mean 'a painting by Rembrandt', it retains the capital letter (e.g., 'It's a genuine Rembrandt').
Not directly. The attributive form is usually 'Rembrandtesque' or constructions like 'Rembrandt-like' to describe something reminiscent of his style.
The word itself (the name) has no plural. When referring to multiple paintings by him, the plural is 'Rembrandts' (e.g., 'The gallery owns three Rembrandts').
Yes, mainly in the final vowel sound. In British English, it rhymes with 'ant' /-brænt/. In American English, it has a broader 'ah' sound, rhyming with 'font' /-brɑːnt/.
A proper noun referring to Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, the famous 17th-century Dutch painter and etcher.
Rembrandt is usually formal, academic, artistic in register.
Rembrandt: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɛm.brænt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɛm.brɑːnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Worth a Rembrandt (extremely valuable)”
- “Not exactly a Rembrandt (of poor artistic quality)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
REMember the BRAND of paint used by the great Dutch ARTist: Rem-Brand-t.
Conceptual Metaphor
A REMBRANDT IS A VALUABLE OBJECT (e.g., 'That report is the Rembrandt of the collection.').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common use of the word 'Rembrandt' as a countable noun?