pointillism

1 of 2

noun

poin·​til·​lism ˈpȯin-tə-ˌli-zəm  ˈpwaⁿ(n)-tē-ˌyi-zəm 

variants often Pointillism

: the theory or practice in art of applying small strokes or dots of color to a surface so that from a distance they blend together

pointillist

ˈpȯin-tə-list  ˌpwaⁿ(n)-tē-ˈyēst 

noun

pointillistic

2 of 2

adjective

poin·​til·​lis·​tic ˌpȯin-tə-ˈli-stik  ˌpwaⁿ(n)-tē-ˈyi-stik 

variants or less commonly pointillist

ˈpȯin-tə-list  ˌpwaⁿ(n)-tē-ˈyēst 

1

: composed of many discrete details or parts

2

: of, relating to, or characteristic of pointillism or pointillists

Did you know?

In the late 19th century, Neo-Impressionists discovered that contrasting dots of color applied side by side would blend together and be perceived as a luminous whole when seen from a distance. With this knowledge, they developed the technique of pointillism, also known as divisionism. By the 1920s, the adjective pointillistic was being used as a word describing something having many details or parts, such as an argument or musical composition; it was then applied to the art of pointillism and its artists, the pointillists.

Examples of pointillism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Every Experience Adds Another Dot Kaplan compares brand building to pointillism, the artistic technique in which individual dots ultimately form a larger image. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Like pointillism and democracy, writing is a charming art that belongs to the past. — John Hodgman, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Consisting of jamesjamesjames, Varg²™, Eurohead, and Skarp, the outfit nakedly endeavors to reappraise the richly earnest sounds of 2010s Swedish EDM, known for its pointillistic, high-octave melodies and counterpoints that, at their best, imbue big-room propulsion with butterflies in the stomach. — Nathan Evans, Pitchfork, 12 May 2026

The pointillistic eclecticism of @NYT_first_said does tend to highlight the linguistic extremes—the novelties and the gags and the groaners. — Max Norman, The New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French pointillisme, from pointiller to stipple, from point spot, from Old French — more at point

First Known Use

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1922, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pointillism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism