Literary Movements

noun a group of people who develop new and experimental ideas, especially in the arts

adjective favoring or introducing experimental or unusual ideas

• The avant garde artist's work challenged traditional artistic conventions.
• She always had an avant garde style, never following mainstream trends.
• That new fashion line is so avant garde, I love it!
• His avant garde approach to problem-solving always leads to innovative solutions.

noun a style or form of music or art that is traditional or formal

adjective relating to ancient Greek or Latin literature, art, or culture

• Classical music is known for its complexity and timelessness.
• I love listening to classical music when I study.
• Classical tunes are my jam.
• Her style is very classical, she always dresses elegantly.

noun A person who believes in the existence of a God or supreme being but does not follow any specific religious doctrine.

adjective Relating to or characteristic of deism.

• The deist believes in a higher power that created the universe but does not intervene in human affairs.
• My friend considers himself a deist because he believes in a higher power but doesn't follow organized religion.
• Some people think deists are just agnostics who are afraid to admit it.
• Being a deist is like believing in a cosmic clockmaker who set things in motion and then stepped back to watch it all unfold.

noun a division of time that is longer than an era and shorter than a period

• The Renaissance is considered a significant epoch in European history.
• The 90s were a cool epoch for music.
• That party was lit, it was an epoch!
• The birth of the internet marked a new epoch in human communication.

noun a highly elaborate and artificial style of writing or speaking, characterized by excessive use of literary devices and affected elegance

• The author's use of euphuism in his writing style made the novel difficult to read for some.
• I don't really understand all the euphuism in this book, it's too fancy for me.
• Why do you always have to use so much euphuism in your texts? Just say what you mean.
• Her speech was filled with euphuism, masking the true meaning behind her words.

noun written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit

adjective pertaining to or dealing with the subject of written works

• The study of literature is essential for a well-rounded education.
• I really enjoy reading literature from different time periods.
• Diving into some lit literature this weekend!
• Her mind was a vast library of literature, filled with stories and knowledge.

noun a person who follows or practices modernism, especially in the arts

adjective relating to or characteristic of modernism

• The modernist movement in art and literature sought to break away from traditional styles and techniques.
• Many people find modernist architecture to be too abstract and unconventional.
• I'm not really into that whole modernist vibe, I prefer more classic designs.
• Her writing style is often described as modernist, pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling.

noun a philosophical belief that everything arises from natural properties and causes, and supernatural or spiritual explanations are excluded

• Naturalism is a literary movement that focuses on realistic representation and a rejection of idealized portrayals.
• I really enjoy reading books that follow the principles of naturalism, it feels more relatable.
• Dude, that movie was so naturalism, it felt like I was watching real life.
• In art, naturalism can be seen as a reflection of the artist's desire to capture the essence of the subject in its most authentic form.

noun a period of time, typically referring to the early 19th century, characterized by a specific style or set of characteristics

• During the Regency period, there was a focus on social and political reforms.
• The Regency era was known for its extravagant parties and fashion.
• Back in the Regency days, people were all about that high society life.
• The Regency of the company was marked by innovative leadership and growth.

noun a period in European history, covering the 14th to the 17th centuries, marked by a revival in art, literature, and learning

adjective relating to the Renaissance period or its characteristics

• The Renaissance period in Europe was known for its advancements in art, science, and culture.
• I learned about the Renaissance in history class and it was a pretty cool time.
• The Renaissance was like the ultimate glow-up for Europe.
• Just like a Renaissance painting, her life was filled with vibrant colors and intricate details.

noun a revival or rebirth, especially in literature, art, or culture

• The renascence of interest in classical literature led to a resurgence in Latin studies.
• There seems to be a renascence of 80s fashion trends lately.
• The renascence of street art in the neighborhood is really cool.
• After facing many challenges, she felt a renascence of hope and determination.

noun a philosophical and literary movement that emphasized living a simple life in harmony with nature and the importance of individual intuition and conscience

• Transcendentalism was a philosophical movement in the early 19th century that emphasized the importance of intuition and individualism.
• I learned about transcendentalism in my American literature class and found it really interesting.
• Some people think transcendentalism is just a bunch of hippie nonsense, but I think there's some truth to it.
• The author's writing style can be described as transcendentalism, as it often explores deep philosophical themes.

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. 'Century' is a noun because it refers to a period of one hundred years.

adjective A word that describes or modifies a noun. In this case, 'twentieth' is an adjective that describes the century as being the twentieth in order.

• The invention of the internet revolutionized communication in the twentieth century.
• People in the twentieth century were amazed by the first television broadcasts.
• Back in the day, the twentieth century was lit with all the new technology.
• The twentieth century was a turning point in human history, marking significant advancements in various fields.

adjective relating to the reign of Queen Victoria in England (1837-1901) or the style of that period, characterized by ornate design and attention to detail

• The Victorian era was known for its strict social norms and elaborate fashion.
• I love visiting Victorian houses because of their beautiful architecture.
• That dress looks totally Victorian chic!
• Her outdated views on gender roles are quite Victorian in nature.

noun a person from the United States or a citizen of the United States

adjective relating to the United States or its people or culture

• The restaurant specializes in New American cuisine, blending traditional flavors with modern techniques.
• Have you tried that new American restaurant down the street? The food is amazing!
• New American food is all the rage right now, it's like a mix of different culinary styles.
• The artist's work can be described as New American, combining elements of classic and contemporary art.

noun a person who adheres to or promotes absurdism, a philosophy that emphasizes the absurdity of the human condition

adjective relating to or characteristic of absurdism or absurdist philosophy

• The absurdist playwright often challenged societal norms in his works.
• My friend is really into absurdist humor, he loves shows like Monty Python.
• That movie was so absurdist, it had me laughing the whole time.
• Her painting style can be described as absurdist, with surreal elements and unexpected combinations.

noun a group of early 20th-century Russian poets who advocated for clarity, simplicity, and precision in poetry

• The Acmeists were a group of Russian poets in the early 20th century who focused on clarity and precision in their poetry.
• Have you heard of the Acmeists? They were a cool group of poets back in the day.
• The Acmeists were like the OG poetry squad, keeping it real with their words.
• Just like the Acmeists aimed for perfection in their poetry, we should strive for excellence in everything we do.

noun a particular style or trend in the arts that values beauty and artistic expression

• The aesthetic movement of the late 19th century emphasized the importance of beauty in art and design.
• I really love the aesthetic movement style with its focus on intricate details and ornate patterns.
• That room has major aesthetic movement vibes with all the vintage furniture and decorative pieces.
• Her fashion sense is like a modern interpretation of the aesthetic movement, blending classic elegance with contemporary trends.