vignette

noun

Save Word

vi·gnette | \ vin-ˈyet

, vēn- \

Definition of vignette

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a picture (such as an engraving or photograph) that shades off gradually into the surrounding paper

b : the pictorial part of a postage stamp design as distinguished from the frame and lettering

2a : a short descriptive literary sketch

b : a brief incident or scene (as in a play or movie)

3 : a running ornament (as of vine leaves, tendrils, and grapes) put on or just before a title page or at the beginning or end of a chapter also : a small decorative design or picture so placed

vignette

verb

vignetted; vignetting

Definition of vignette (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to finish (something, such as a photograph) like a vignette

2 : to describe briefly

Other Words from vignette Synonyms The Connection Between Vignette and Vines Example Sentences Learn More about vignette

Keep scrolling for more

The Connection Between Vignette and Vines

Noun

Vignette comes from Middle French vignete, the diminutive form of the noun vigne, meaning "vine." In English, the word was first used in the mid-18th century for a design or illustration that ran along the blank border of a page, or one that marked the beginning or end of a chapter. Such designs got their name because they often looked like little vines. It wasn't until the late 19th century that usage of vignette had shifted to cover a brief literary sketch or narrative, as we commonly see it used today.

Examples of vignette in a Sentence

Noun The play's program features a little vignette about each member of the cast. The film is a series of vignettes about living with cancer.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Against such momentous upheaval, that small vignette from northern France so many years ago, when the memory of global conflict was still vivid, spoke to a different yearning. — New York Times, "The Brexit Fight, Through a Reporter’s Prism of a Changed Continent," 26 Dec. 2020 The result is a surprisingly sweet vignette that charts several decades of digital play. — Simon Parkin, The New Yorker, "The Best Video Games of 2020," 18 Dec. 2020 This vignette of South Korea’s swift health response is a symbolic indictment of other countries’ travails. — Peter Van Agtmael, Magazine, "How photography helps us make sense of this unforgettable year," 8 Dec. 2020 As the ad continues, a person with a beard applies lipstick before welcoming the young gay man from the opening vignette into a festive gathering with other LGBTQ partygoers. — Dan Avery, NBC News, "Ritz takes a bite out of holiday ad space with LGBTQ-inclusive commercial," 12 Nov. 2020 Each ornament is decorated with a holiday vignette created by Mayor Cyril Kleem, and all proceeds from their sale will benefit Berea’s Office of Veterans Outreach. — Rich Heileman, cleveland, "Berea Library’s puzzle challenge: Around The Town," 6 Nov. 2020 Hang the 20-by-16-inch sign directly above a side table or dresser to instantly create a cheerful holiday vignette. — Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, "Target's 2020 Holiday Collection Just Dropped and, Yes, We Want Everything," 2 Nov. 2020 This opening vignette might not be as relevant, plot-wise, as Joey’s or Jayson and Owen’s, but Meera is already a stand-out character for more reasons than one. — Lydia Wang, refinery29.com, "R29 Binge Club: Netflix’s Grand Army Recaps," 19 Oct. 2020 Each vignette is written by a different expert, and each surprised me with their depth. — Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, "What I learned from eating frozen food exclusively for two weeks," 21 Sep. 2020

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