pointillism

noun, often capitalized
poin·​til·​lism | \ ˈpwaⁿ(n)-tē-ˌyi-zəm How to pronounce pointillism (audio) , ˈpȯin-tə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce pointillism (audio) \

Definition of pointillism

: the theory or practice in art of applying small strokes or dots of color to a surface so that from a distance they blend together

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Other Words from pointillism

pointillist \ ˌpwaⁿ(n)-​tē-​ˈyēst How to pronounce pointillist (audio) , ˈpȯin-​tə-​list How to pronounce pointillist (audio) \ noun

Examples of pointillism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the sky and sun toward which the bird flies are created using pointillism. Denise Coffey, courant.com, "“New Perspectives” On Display At Spirol Gallery," 29 July 2019 Polka Dot Remember pointillism from your Art History 101 class? Devon Abelman, Allure, "13 Unexpected Ways to Wear Winged Eyeliner That Are Taking Over Instagram," 14 Sep. 2018 Polka Dot Remember pointillism from your Art History 101 class? Devon Abelman, Allure, "13 Unexpected Ways to Wear Winged Eyeliner That Are Taking Over Instagram," 14 Sep. 2018 Polka Dot Remember pointillism from your Art History 101 class? Devon Abelman, Allure, "13 Unexpected Ways to Wear Winged Eyeliner That Are Taking Over Instagram," 14 Sep. 2018 Polka Dot Remember pointillism from your Art History 101 class? Devon Abelman, Allure, "13 Unexpected Ways to Wear Winged Eyeliner That Are Taking Over Instagram," 14 Sep. 2018 Is there a sort of pointillism equivalent for film in digital stuff next to the more watercolor-y way actual film stock behaves? Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "Eighth Grade director Bo Burnham on what most movies get wrong about the internet," 25 Aug. 2018 Abigail Fischer sings the piece vividly, with members of Sequitur, conducted by Jayce Ogren, moving easily through the score’s episodes of pointillism, stateliness and hazy dissonance. Allan Kozinn, WSJ, "Romantic Lushness Meets Post-Tonal Grittiness," 30 May 2018 Just like the Seurat painting, minus the class status and pointillism. Elisa Albert, Longreads, "O, Small-bany!," 7 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pointillism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of pointillism

1897, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for pointillism

French pointillisme, from pointiller to stipple, from point spot, from Old French — more at point

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More Definitions for pointillism

pointillism

noun

English Language Learners Definition of pointillism

: a style of painting in which a picture is formed from small dots of color