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Maquette came to English directly from French, first appearing in our language in the late 19th century. The French word, which possesses the same meaning as its English descendant, derived from the Italian noun macchietta, meaning "sketch," and ultimately from Latin macula, meaning "spot." Maquettes are generally intended to serve as rough models of larger designs. Architects make maquettes of their buildings, and sculptors often create maquettes in wax or clay to help them realize the final sculpture. As an aside, you might spot something familiar in the word's Latin ancestor. The term "macula" in English refers to a spot (such as one on the eye) that is different from surrounding tissue; this is where we get the term "macular degeneration."
Examples of maquette in a Sentence
Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
The show also features original works by the Italian artist, including 20 drawings and a group of maquettes — preliminary models in wax and clay.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Displayed on a table near the large prints is a unique leporello, or accordion-pleated maquette, that Mikhailov made for the series by assembling black-and-white photos in foldout book form.
—Arthur Lubow, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025
The work included aren’t just contemporary projections of a utopic future, however; among the pieces included is Ethiopia Awakening (1921), a 12-inch maquette by Harlem Renaissance artist Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller.
—Shantay Robinson, ARTnews.com, 28 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Maquette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maquette. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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