minimalism

noun

min·​i·​mal·​ism ˈmi-nə-mə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: a style or technique (as in music, literature, or design) that is characterized by extreme spareness and simplicity

2

: minimal art

Did you know?

In the 1960s, a few composers, including Philip Glass, Steve Reich, and John Adams, began writing music inspired by the music of India and Southeast Asia, often with a quick pulsing beat and chords that are repeated quickly over and over while small changes are slowly introduced. Minimalist art, which began appearing around the same time, tries to strip away all personal elements, often leaving only pure geometric forms; you may have seen the plain silver boxes of Donald Judd, or the straight neon tubes of Bruce Nauman. In literature, the stripped-down fiction of Samuel Beckett and Raymond Carver is often considered minimalist. But there's a real question whether these various types of minimalism should even be considered the same concept.

Examples of minimalism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From high-fashion runways to interior decor showrooms, the minimalism trend touched every corner of the design world, with creatives finding new ways to cut off the excess and focus on shape, quality, and bare-bones beauty. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026

Jenner’s look leaned softer and more playful in contrast to Bieber’s minimalism. —Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 12 Jan. 2026

The rooms Rooms in the historic building go a bit cozier, with pops of tangerine and patterns, though there's a minimalism across all of the rooms with lots of ivory and dark wood details. —Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026

Over nearly two decades, Ray has forged a singular path across the boundaries of techno, ambient, and avant-garde sound, evolving from the delicate minimalism of his early releases to a distinctive blend of hypnotic textures and futuristic rhythms. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for minimalism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism