kaleidoscope

noun

ka·lei·do·scope | \ kə-ˈlī-də-ˌskōp

Definition of kaleidoscope

1 : an instrument containing loose bits of colored material (such as glass or plastic) between two flat plates and two plane mirrors so placed that changes of position of the bits of material are reflected in an endless variety of patterns

2 : something resembling a kaleidoscope: such as

a : a variegated changing pattern or scene a kaleidoscope of colors

b : a succession of changing phases or actions a kaleidoscope of changing fashions

c : a diverse collection

Other Words from kaleidoscope Example Sentences Learn More about kaleidoscope

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Other Words from kaleidoscope

kaleidoscopic \ kə-ˌlī-də-ˈskä-pik

\ adjective

kaleidoscopically \ kə-ˌlī-də-ˈskä-pi-k(ə-)lē

\ adverb

Examples of kaleidoscope in a Sentence

The landscape was a kaleidoscope of changing colors.

Recent Examples on the Web

The kaleidoscope of attendees is, much like the location, intended to emphasize the holistic approach necessary for humane architectural change. — Marlo Safi, National Review, "Can a Small Italian Village Point the Way to More Livable Modern Cities?," 16 June 2019 Picasso, at least for a time, renounced Cubism’s shape-shifting kaleidoscope in favor of the braggadocio of Neoclassicism. — Jed Perl, The New York Review of Books, "A Master of Mute Forms," 7 Mar. 2019 Running for almost 40 minutes, dancers weave on and off stage to the seemingly continuous rise of music, pushing through a circuit of complex footwork that appears an artful kaleidoscope of jazz, ballet, tap, and aerobics. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, "It Was Ladies’ Night at the American Ballet Theatre Fall Gala," 18 Oct. 2018 Psychedelic artist Isaac Abrams and his son, Raphael, designed a light show for the Kaatskill Kaleidoscope, the world’s largest kaleidoscope, in a 56-foot-round silo at the Emerson Resort & Spa in New York’s Catskill Mountains. — Lynn Freehill-maye, WSJ, "Grain Silos: From Empty Relics to Cultural Landmarks and Luxury Hotels," 29 Aug. 2018 Our second lunch, at Neiman Marcus NorthPark, beckons, and that’s where my sense memory kicks in: the kaleidoscope of seemingly endless possibilities, that hallmark of feeling young. — Alex Witchel, Town & Country, "The Best Department Stores Are All Opening Restaurants," 25 Feb. 2019 The performances unfolded like a musical kaleidoscope of some of opera’s greatest hits; many of which opera novices could even recall. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, "Opera Divas and Debutantes: Inside the 64th Annual Viennese Opera Ball," 5 Feb. 2019 The rule-breaking styling trick first started bubbling up on the runway a couple of years ago with brands such as Balenciaga, Celine, and Saint Laurent all proposing strappy sandals with a kaleidoscope of colorful hosiery. — Liana Satenstein, Vogue, "Lily-Rose Depp Pulls a Fashion Faux Pas on the Red Carpet—and Wins," 18 Dec. 2018 My senses were blasted with a kaleidoscope of colorful, curving, intricate forms; evidence of Mackintosh’s fascination with nature, symbolism and mysticism. — Sam Lubell, New York Times, "A Glasgow Architect’s Masterpiece Is Damaged, but Not His Magic," 2 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kaleidoscope.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Statistics for kaleidoscope

Last Updated

24 Jun 2019

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Time Traveler for kaleidoscope

The first known use of kaleidoscope was in 1817

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More Definitions for kaleidoscope

kaleidoscope

noun

English Language Learners Definition of kaleidoscope

: a tube that has mirrors and loose pieces of colored glass or plastic inside at one end so that you see many different patterns when you turn the tube while looking in through the other end

: a changing pattern or scene

: a mixture of many different things

See the full definition for kaleidoscope in the English Language Learners Dictionary

kaleidoscope

noun

ka·lei·do·scope | \ kə-ˈlī-də-skōp