ˌä-ˌvän(t)-ˈgärd 
ˌa-;
ə-ˈvänt-ˌgärd;
ˌa-ˌvōⁿ-ˈgärd,
ˌa-ˌvȯn(t)-ˈgärd
: an intelligentsia that develops new or experimental concepts especially in the arts
the avant-garde in the film industry
: of or relating to an avant-garde
avant-garde writers
an avant-garde filmmaker
Examples of avant-garde in a Sentence
Noun
to the theater world's avant-garde, the melodrama seemed like a very old-fashioned play whose time had come and gone
Adjective
a very avant-garde artist whose works wouldn't even be considered art by many traditionalists
Recent Examples on the Web
Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
The hat was in fact designed by Maison Schiaparelli, known for its avant-garde haute couture.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
There’s a cursed avant-garde horror movie that may be an occult ritual.
—Neil McRobert, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
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Noun
Her mother is an opera singer, her father is a conductor and composer responsible for commissioning new, avant-garde works in Iceland.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2025
The hat was in fact designed by Maison Schiaparelli, known for its avant-garde haute couture.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The exhibit is the first comprehensive exploration of Katz’s collaborations with choreographers, dancers and members of avant-garde theater ensembles over six decades, showcasing rare archival materials, major sets and paintings and previously unexhibited sketches.
—La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
There’s a cursed avant-garde horror movie that may be an occult ritual.
—Neil McRobert, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avant-garde
Cite this Entry
“Avant-garde.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avant-garde. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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