avant

adjective

ˈä-ˌvän(t) How to pronounce avant (audio)
ˈa-,
-ˌvȯn(t),
-ˌvōⁿ
: culturally or stylistically advanced : avant-garde
avant jazz

Examples of avant in a Sentence

readers of this very avant novel should not expect to find much in the way of traditional narrative structure
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jim Rinnert was the longtime art director for In These Times magazine and a theater enthusiast who co-wrote an award-winning multimedia theatrical work based on the writings of avant-grade theater and cinema artist Antonin Artaud. Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025 The product of a multinational household — daughter of a West African percussionist and a Swedish designer, stepdaughter of avant-jazz trumpeter Don Cherry — this year's most daring Best New Artist nominee went on to join several abrasive and ear-shattering British punk bands in the early '80s. EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025 His tunes draw on a broad spectrum of Black American music, seamlessly encompassing blues, funk and R&B along with bebop and avant garde directions forged by Ornette Coleman (which are also steeped in the blues). Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025 The collection Olsen’s gown hails from was rife with avant, flowing takes on bows, whether at the shoulders of pastel dresses or at the hips of drop waist dresses or tailored jackets. Marissa Muller, WWD, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for avant

Word History

Etymology

French avant- fore-, front, from avant before, from Latin abante

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of avant was in 1965

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Cite this Entry

“Avant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avant. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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