toulouse-lautrec: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, artistic
Quick answer
What does “toulouse-lautrec” mean?
A French post-impressionist painter and lithographer (1864–1901), known for works depicting the Parisian nightlife, especially cabarets like the Moulin Rouge.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A French post-impressionist painter and lithographer (1864–1901), known for works depicting the Parisian nightlife, especially cabarets like the Moulin Rouge.
Used as a metonym for the bohemian, decadent art scene of late 19th-century Montmartre; can refer to a style of art or poster design characterized by bold outlines, flat colors, and dynamic, often satirical depictions of people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
None in meaning. Spelling is identical. Pronunciation of 'Toulouse' may show minor variation.
Connotations
Both varieties associate the name with high art, historical Paris, and a specific artistic movement.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, appearing primarily in artistic, historical, or cultural contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “toulouse-lautrec” in a Sentence
NOUN: Toulouse-Lautrec + VERB (created, depicted, lived)ATTRIBUTIVE: Toulouse-Lautrec + NOUN (poster, lithograph, exhibition)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “toulouse-lautrec” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The club had a distinctly Toulouse-Lautrec vibe, with its velvet drapes and cabaret posters.
American English
- Her graphic design was very Toulouse-Lautrec, using flat colors and expressive line work.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in art auction or tourism marketing (e.g., 'a rare Toulouse-Lautrec lithograph').
Academic
Common in art history, cultural studies, and history texts discussing late 19th-century France.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used when discussing art, visiting a museum, or referencing Parisian history.
Technical
Used precisely in art criticism, cataloguing, and museology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “toulouse-lautrec”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “toulouse-lautrec”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “toulouse-lautrec”
- Misspelling as 'Toulouse-Lautrec' (missing hyphen) or 'Toulouse Lautrec' (no hyphen). Mispronouncing 'Lautrec' with a hard 'c' (/ˈlɔːtrek/ instead of /ləˈtrek/ or /loʊˈtrek/). Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'He is a toulouse-lautrec').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, he is classified as a post-impressionist. His work shares some traits with impressionism but is more linear, graphic, and focused on social commentary.
'Toulouse' and 'Lautrec' are parts of his aristocratic family's title and lands (the County of Toulouse and the Lordship of Lautrec). His full name was Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Monfa.
Yes, attributively (e.g., 'a Toulouse-Lautrec poster'). It describes something in the style of or related to the artist.
Yes, it is a standard part of his surname in English and French. Omitting it is a common error.
A French post-impressionist painter and lithographer (1864–1901), known for works depicting the Parisian nightlife, especially cabarets like the Moulin Rouge.
Toulouse-lautrec is usually formal, artistic in register.
Toulouse-lautrec: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtuːluːz ləʊˈtrek/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtuːˈluːz loʊˈtrek/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A regular Toulouse-Lautrec (humorous, implying someone is a prolific or observant chronicler of social scenes).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
TOULOUSE sounds like 'too loose' – imagine the artist enjoying the 'too loose' nightlife of Paris that he famously painted.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE ARTIST IS A CHRONICLER (he documented a world). ARTISTIC STYLE IS A SIGNATURE (his style is instantly recognisable).
Practice
Quiz
What is Toulouse-Lautrec most famously associated with?