✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

chiaroscurist

noun

chiar·​oscu·​rist kē-ˌär-ə-ˈskyu̇r-ist How to pronounce chiaroscurist (audio)
kē-ˌer-
kē-ˌa-rə-
-ˈsku̇r-
: an artist who specializes in chiaroscuro

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1806, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chiaroscurist was circa 1806

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chiaroscurist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chiaroscurist. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!