minimalism

noun

min·​i·​mal·​ism ˈmi-nə-mə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: a style or technique (as in music, literature, or design) that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity

2

: minimal art

Did you know?

In the 1960s, a few composers, including Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and John Adams, began writing music inspired by the music of India and Southeast Asia, often with a quick pulsing beat and chords that are repeated quickly over and over while small changes are slowly introduced. Minimalist art, which began appearing around the same time, tries to strip away all personal elements, often leaving only pure geometric forms; you may have seen the plain silver boxes of Donald Judd, or the straight neon tubes of Bruce Nauman. In literature, the stripped-down fiction of Samuel Beckett and Raymond Carver is often considered minimalist. But there's a real question whether these various types of minimalism should even be considered the same concept.

Examples of minimalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There's also Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, the reigning queen of minimalism and arguably the biggest style icon of the year thanks to the fascination around Love Story. — Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026

The rooms at Stockholm’s Stadshotell (formerly a women’s shelter) are exquisite, lovely examples of soothing Scandinavian minimalism. — Riza Cruz, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026

Even brands deeply rooted in minimalism, such as Jil Sander and Loro Piana, evolved their aesthetic through sophisticated fabrics, innovative shapes and precise cuts that ensure strong relevancy for the upcoming season. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

For a band that leaned so heavily on minimalism in the past, using Fridmann allows for some exciting new directions. — David Harris, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for minimalism

• activism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism
• calvinism