minimalist

noun min·i·mal·ist \ -list \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Definition of minimalist

1 : one who favors restricting the functions and powers of a political organization or the achievement of a set of goals to a minimum

2 a : an artist who creates minimal art

b : an adherent of minimalism

Recent Examples of minimalist from the Web

Her score is by the distinguished Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho; there will be images by American minimalist Brice Marden, and Tony nominee Kathleen Chalfant will narrate the poem.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Critic’s picks: A bounty of ballet, tap, and much more on local stages," 18 May 2018
These directives materialized as a parade of statement pieces that would put off a minimalist and charm everyone else.

— danielle fox, ELLE Decor, "A Feminine—And Feminist—Apartment in Hell’s Kitchen Goes Big," 21 May 2018
Markle's choice to wear a minimalist Givenchy gown for her nuptials indeed may be a hat-tip to the beloved film icon.

— perri ormont blumberg, Southern Living, "Did Meghan Markle Channel Audrey's Hepburn Bridal Look?," 19 May 2018
For makeup bag minimalists there's almost nothing better than a multifunctional product.

— macaela mackenzie, Allure, "This Genius M.A.C. Lash Primer Hack Makes Your Brows Look Way Thicker," 16 May 2018
His groundbreaking work established a new visual language—a rejection of both traditional painting and sculpture—making him one of the most influential minimalists of the 20th century.

— warren elgort, Town & Country, "Julianne Moore and Her Art-Full Life," 12 Nov. 2015
The couple worked with renowned Belgian architect Axel Vervoordt, whose clients include Robert DeNiro and Calvin Klein, to transform the property into a minimalist, all-white space, with an almost cathedral-like quality.

— mackenzie schmidt, PEOPLE.com, "Kanye West Says He Wants to Build His Own 'Community' as He Shares New Photos of $60M Home," 1 May 2018
Apple’s minimalist store looms over the riverfront, close to a skyscraper carrying the name of another omnipresent brand—Trump.

— The Economist, "America’s antitrust apparatus prepares to act against big tech," 26 Apr. 2018
Eventually, though, the watch found a larger audience in skaters, minimalists, graphic designers, and creative types alike—basically anyone with an appreciation for simple design.

— tyler watamanuk, GQ, "A Classic Swatch Watch Is Coming Back," 17 Apr. 2018

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

First Known Use of minimalist

1906

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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NEW! Time Traveler

minimalist

adjective

Definition of minimalist

: of, relating to, or done in the style of minimalism

See minimalist defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of minimalist from the Web

Sooner or later, everyone dreams of buying a tiny and/or minimalist smartphone.

— james vincent, The Verge, "This tiny ruggedized 4G smartphone has a fingerprint scanner and works underwater," 6 June 2018
Some also speculate that her dress was an intentional homage to American icon, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, who donned a minimalist look when marrying John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1996.

— perri ormont blumberg, Southern Living, "Did Meghan Markle Channel Audrey's Hepburn Bridal Look?," 19 May 2018
In contrast, the nonmusical portions of the show, in which Janes tells Holly's story, are minimalist and often devoid of surprise or nuance.

— jack helbig, Chicago Reader, "You already know The Buddy Holly Story," 10 May 2018
Apple’s accelerator, tucked into an office tower in the Yelahanka suburbs, is spare and vast, with minimalist, modular rooms whose flexible walls can be moved to accommodate a few people or a few hundred.

— Bloomberg.com, "Apple Teaches India’s Kid Coders to Win at the App Store," 24 Apr. 2018
The interior is bright and minimalist, with tables housing glass cases of the products accompanied by touch screens with information about different strains and their levels of CBD and THC.

— grace donnelly, Fortune, "Marijuana Dispensary Opens on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on 4/20," 20 Apr. 2018
Filmed with extreme naturalistic and minimalist detail, this movie gives you a raw, microscopic account of what a person goes through in order to reach her athletic dreams.

— luis miguel echegaray, SI.com, "Five Sports Movies to See at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival," 18 Apr. 2018
This rock solid chair was both overbuilt and minimalist and looked capable of surviving the end of days with its welded joints and reinforced aluminum frame.

— joe jackson, Outside Online, "Testing the Best Comfortable Camp Chairs," 30 Mar. 2018
Something can be both minimalist and Scandinavian at the same time, but the main differences between the two are the materials used.

— danielle fox, ELLE Decor, "Scandinavian Design vs. Minimalist Design: What's The Difference?," 21 Dec. 2017

First Known Use of minimalist

1929

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

MINIMALIST Defined for English Language Learners

minimalist

adjective

Definition of minimalist for English Language Learners

: of, relating to, or following a style in art, literature, or music that is very simple and uses a small number of colors, parts, materials, etc.

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Nglish: Translation of minimalist for Spanish speakers

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