vignette

1 of 2

noun

vi·​gnette vin-ˈyet How to pronounce vignette (audio)
vēn-
1
a
: 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
2
a
: 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
vignettist noun

vignette

2 of 2

verb

vignetted; vignetting

transitive verb

1
: to finish (something, such as a photograph) like a vignette
2
: to describe briefly
vignetter noun

Did you know?

The Connection Between Vignette and Vines

Vignette comes from the Middle French noun vigne, meaning "vine." In English, the word was first used in the early 17th 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 vignette began being used for a brief literary sketch or narrative.

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
What audiences weren’t told is that the vignette was an experiment of sorts conducted by Netflix and its media buying agency, Interpublic Group’s Mediahub, with Fox’s cooperation. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 21 Mar. 2024 Members of the Master Gardener Association of San Diego County maintain a demonstration garden on site with nine vignettes, a small backyard orchard and vegetable bed. Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 Its grand lobby is a visual treat for the eyes – with vaulted ceilings punctuated with golden Murano chandeliers and sconces; luxe, cozy vignettes meant for sipping cocktails or snuggling with a book; and an adjacent ballroom anchored by a theatrical Chihuly chandelier. Angela Caraway-Carlton, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024 Its six vignettes emphasize the importance of first impressions in welcoming guests to a home. Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Other back-and-forth vignettes relate to how the men came to meet and eventually marry Coretta (Weruche Opia) and Betty (Jayme Lawson). Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2024 There are also vignettes involving unicycles (Steele rode one as a kid), fireworks, Will Forte in a hot-air balloon, and a night out in Vegas with Steele dolled up to the nines and Ferrell sporting a ridiculous fake mustache. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2024 From solitary travelers finding solace to lovers entwined in intimate whispers, each vignette reflects facets of human existence. Billboard China, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 The film’s events appear to unfold over the course of an afternoon, but perhaps these vignettes gesture to the general, ambling drift of Iris’ routine. Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vignette.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Middle French vignete, from diminutive of vigne vine — more at vine entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vignette was in 1611

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Dictionary Entries Near vignette

Cite this Entry

“Vignette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vignette. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vignette

noun
vi·​gnette
vin-ˈyet,
vēn-
: a brief description in words : sketch

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