A1 noun Neutral

surrealism

/səˈriːəlɪzəm/

Surrealism is a style of art and literature that mixes real objects in strange or impossible ways, like in a dream. It aims to show the power of the imagination and the hidden thoughts of the mind.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The movie was full of surrealism, with clocks melting in the desert.

The movie was full of surrealism, with clocks melting in the desert.

2

The university gallery is hosting a new lecture on the history of French surrealism.

The university gallery is hosting a new lecture on the history of French surrealism.

3

That party last night was pure surrealism; I still can't believe what happened.

That party last night was pure surrealism; I still can't believe what happened.

Word Family

Noun
surrealism
Verb
surrealize
Adverb
surreally
Adjective
surrealist
Related
surrealist
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Sur-' meaning 'above' and 'Realism'. It is art that is 'above' or 'beyond' reality, like a dream.

Quick Quiz

The artist used ________ to show the strange images from his dreams.

Correct!

The correct answer is: surrealism

Examples

1

The movie was full of surrealism, with clocks melting in the desert.

everyday

The movie was full of surrealism, with clocks melting in the desert.

2

The university gallery is hosting a new lecture on the history of French surrealism.

formal

The university gallery is hosting a new lecture on the history of French surrealism.

3

That party last night was pure surrealism; I still can't believe what happened.

informal

That party last night was pure surrealism; I still can't believe what happened.

4

Scholars argue that surrealism was a reaction against the logic of modern society.

academic

Scholars argue that surrealism was a reaction against the logic of modern society.

5

The company used elements of surrealism in their advertisement to make it more memorable.

business

The company used elements of surrealism in their advertisement to make it more memorable.

Word Family

Noun
surrealism
Verb
surrealize
Adverb
surreally
Adjective
surrealist
Related
surrealist

Common Collocations

classic surrealism classic surrealism
elements of surrealism elements of surrealism
the surrealism movement the surrealism movement
works of surrealism works of surrealism
influenced by surrealism influenced by surrealism

Common Phrases

pure surrealism

pure surrealism

a touch of surrealism

a touch of surrealism

the height of surrealism

the height of surrealism

Often Confused With

surrealism vs realism

Realism shows things as they look in real life, while surrealism shows things as they look in dreams.

surrealism vs surrealist

Surrealism is the name of the art movement (noun), while surrealist describes a person or an object (adjective/noun).

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'surrealism' when referring to the specific art movement or the general concept of dream-like art. Use the adjective 'surreal' to describe a strange situation in everyday life.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often say 'This is so surrealism' instead of 'This is so surreal'. Remember that 'surrealism' is the name of the category, not a descriptive word.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Sur-' meaning 'above' and 'Realism'. It is art that is 'above' or 'beyond' reality, like a dream.

📖

Word Origin

From the French word 'surréalisme', coined by Guillaume Apollinaire, meaning 'above' (sur) 'realism'.

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun often follows 'the' used with the preposition 'in'
🌍

Cultural Context

Salvador Dalí and René Magritte are the most famous artists associated with this movement.

Quick Quiz

The artist used ________ to show the strange images from his dreams.

Correct!

The correct answer is: surrealism

More art words

painting

A1

A painting is a picture that someone makes using paint. It is usually created on a surface like paper or canvas and is considered a piece of art.

sculpture

A1

A sculpture is a three-dimensional piece of art made by shaping or carving materials like stone, wood, metal, or clay. Unlike a painting, you can walk around a sculpture and see it from many different angles.

sketch

A1

A simple drawing that is done quickly and without many details. It is often used as a rough draft or a plan for a more finished piece of art.

portrait

A1

A portrait is a painting, drawing, or photograph of a person, usually focusing on the face and shoulders. It is created to show what the person looks like and often to express their personality.

landscape

A1

A landscape is a painting, photograph, or view of a wide area of land. In art, it usually shows natural scenes like mountains, trees, and rivers instead of people.

still life

A1

A still life is a type of art, such as a painting or photograph, that shows objects that do not move. Common subjects include everyday items like fruit, flowers, bottles, or bowls.

cubism

A1

Cubism is a style of modern art that shows objects and people as simple geometric shapes like cubes, triangles, and circles. Instead of looking realistic from one side, the art shows the subject from many different angles at the same time.

contemporary art

A1

Contemporary art is art produced at the present period in time. It includes works made by artists living today and reflects the issues of our modern world.

easel

A1

An easel is a wooden or metal frame that stands on three legs. It is used to hold a canvas or a board while an artist is painting or drawing on it.

palette

A1

A palette is a flat board or plate that an artist uses to hold and mix their paints. It also describes the specific set of colors used in a painting, design, or brand.

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