Arts & Culture
Art, literature, music, theatre and cultural life.
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89 words
Definitions in: English- 1paintingnounneutral
A work of art created with paint on a surface, or the activity of creating such works
There's an incredible painting by Monet in the next room.
- 2sculpturenounneutral
A three-dimensional work of art, or the art of making such objects
The bronze sculpture in the park was donated by a local artist.
- 3exhibitionnounneutral
A public display of artworks or other items of interest
The exhibition runs until the end of March, so we still have time to go.
- 4gallerynounneutral
A room or building where art is displayed or sold
We spent the whole afternoon wandering around the gallery.
- 5portraitnounneutral
A painting, drawing, or photograph of a person, especially of the face
The portrait of the queen hangs above the fireplace in the main hall.
- 6landscapenounneutral
A painting or photograph depicting natural scenery
The gallery has a beautiful collection of 19th-century landscapes.
- 7canvasnounneutral
A strong cloth surface on which a painting is made, or a painting itself
The artist stretched a fresh canvas over the frame before starting.
- 8masterpiecenounneutral
A work of outstanding skill or artistry, especially the best work by an artist
The Mona Lisa is widely considered Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece.
- 9sketchnounneutral
A rough or quick drawing, often done as preparation for a finished piece
She did a quick sketch of the building before deciding to paint it.
- 10sketchverbneutral
To make a rough drawing of something
He sat on a bench and sketched the old church across the square.
- 11contemporaryadjectiveneutral
Belonging to or occurring in the present; modern, especially in art
The museum has a whole wing dedicated to contemporary art.
- 12abstractadjectiveneutral
Describing art that does not attempt to represent reality, using shapes, colours, and forms instead
I've never really understood abstract art – I prefer things that look like something.
- 13curatornounneutral
A person who manages and organises a collection or exhibition in a museum or gallery
The curator gave us a private tour of the new exhibition.
- 14installationnounneutraltechnical
A large-scale, often immersive work of art designed for a specific space
The artist created an installation using thousands of suspended light bulbs.
- 15muralnounneutral
A large painting or artwork applied directly to a wall or ceiling
There's a stunning mural on the side of the building near the station.
- 16brushstrokenounneutral
A single mark made by a paintbrush on a surface
You can see every individual brushstroke when you stand close to the painting.
- 17instrumentnounneutral
An object used to produce music, such as a piano or guitar
She can play three instruments – piano, violin, and flute.
- 18concertnounneutral
A live musical performance, typically in front of an audience
We've got tickets to a jazz concert at the Royal Albert Hall next month.
- 19rhythmnounneutral
A strong, regular, repeated pattern of sound or movement in music
The rhythm of the drums got everyone on their feet.
- 20melodynounneutral
A sequence of musical notes that form a recognisable tune
The melody was so catchy I couldn't get it out of my head all day.
- 21composeverbneutral
To write or create a piece of music or a literary work
Beethoven composed some of his greatest works after he went deaf.
- 22composernounneutral
A person who writes music, especially classical music
Mozart is one of the most famous composers in the history of Western music.
- 23orchestranounneutral
A large group of musicians playing various instruments together
The London Symphony Orchestra is performing at the concert hall tonight.
- 24conductornounneutral
A person who directs the performance of an orchestra or choir
The conductor raised his baton and the hall fell silent.
- 25choirnounneutral
An organised group of singers who perform together
She joined the church choir when she was eight and has been singing ever since.
- 26rehearsalnounneutral
A practice session for a performance, concert, or play
The dress rehearsal is tomorrow, so everything needs to be ready.
- 27rehearseverbneutral
To practise a piece of music, play, or performance before presenting it
The actors have been rehearsing the final scene all morning.
- 28harmonynounneutral
The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce a pleasing effect
The two voices blended together in perfect harmony.
- 29lyricsnounneutral
The words of a song
I love the tune but I can never remember the lyrics.
- 30tunenounneutral
A melody, especially a simple and memorable one
I recognise the tune but I can't remember what it's called.
- 31symphonynounneutral
A long, complex composition for a full orchestra, typically in several movements
Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is probably the most recognisable piece of classical music.
- 32acousticadjectiveneutral
Relating to sound or music produced without electronic amplification
She played an acoustic version of the song with just her guitar.
- 33novelnounneutral
A long written story, usually about imaginary characters and events
Her debut novel was shortlisted for a major literary prize.
- 34poemnounneutral
A piece of writing with attention to rhythm, imagery, and language, often arranged in lines
She read a poem at her grandmother's funeral that she'd written herself.
- 35chapternounneutral
A main division of a book, typically with a number or title
I fell asleep after the first chapter – the book was that boring.
- 36genrenounneutral
A category of art, music, or literature characterised by a particular style or form
Science fiction is my favourite genre – I've read hundreds of sci-fi novels.
- 37fictionnounneutral
Literature that describes imaginary events and people
I mostly read fiction, but occasionally I'll pick up a biography.
- 38non-fictionnounneutral
Prose writing based on facts, real events, and real people
The non-fiction section of the bookshop is upstairs on the left.
- 39plotnounneutral
The main sequence of events in a story, novel, or film
The plot was so complicated that I had to read it twice to follow it.
- 40narratornounneutral
The person who tells a story, either a character in the story or an outside voice
The narrator turns out to be unreliable, which changes everything.
- 41versenounneutral
A group of lines forming a unit in a poem or song; also, poetry in general
The song has three verses and a chorus that everyone knows.
- 42prosenounneutral
Written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without the structure of verse
Her prose style is elegant and precise – every word feels carefully chosen.
- 43playwrightnounneutral
A person who writes plays for the theatre
Shakespeare is the most famous playwright in the English language.
- 44literaryadjectiveneutral
Relating to literature, or characteristic of a style associated with literature
The novel has real literary merit – it's not just a page-turner.
- 45bestsellernounneutral
A book that has sold a very large number of copies
Her first novel became an instant bestseller and was translated into thirty languages.
- 46theatrenounneutral
A building where plays are performed, or the art of writing and staging plays
We're going to the theatre on Saturday to see a new production of Hamlet.
- 47performancenounneutral
An act of presenting a play, concert, or other entertainment before an audience
The lead actress gave an absolutely stunning performance.
- 48stagenounneutral
The raised area in a theatre where actors perform
The actors came out onto the stage and the audience began to applaud.
- 49audiencenounneutral
The assembled group of people watching or listening to a performance
The audience gave the performers a standing ovation at the end.
- 50scenenounneutral
A subdivision of an act in a play, or a sequence in a film
The opening scene sets the mood for the entire play.
- 51balletnounneutral
A highly formalised style of dance, or a performance of this dance
She trained in ballet for years before moving into contemporary dance.
- 52choreographynounneutral
The art or practice of designing sequences of movements for dance
The choreography in the final number was breathtaking.
- 53applausenounneutral
The sound of clapping hands to show approval or enjoyment of a performance
The applause went on for several minutes after the final curtain.
- 54traditionnounneutral
A custom or belief that has been passed down through generations
It's a tradition in our family to go to the pantomime at Christmas.
- 55heritagenounneutral
The history, traditions, and qualities that a country or society has had for many years
The old town centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 56festivalnounneutral
An organised series of events celebrating a particular art form, or a cultural celebration
The Edinburgh Festival is one of the biggest arts festivals in the world.
- 57museumnounneutral
A building where objects of historical, scientific, or cultural interest are kept and displayed
The British Museum has one of the largest collections of antiquities in the world.
- 58artefactnounneutral
An object made by a human being, typically of cultural or historical interest
The museum has artefacts dating back to the Roman occupation.
- 59folkadjectiveneutral
Relating to the traditional art, music, or culture of ordinary people
There's a folk music session at the pub every Thursday evening.
- 60craftnounneutral
A skilled activity involving making things by hand
Traditional crafts like weaving and pottery are being revived in the area.
- 61monumentnounneutral
A structure built to commemorate a person or event, or a building of historical importance
The war monument in the centre of town was built in 1920.
- 62ceremonynounneutral
A formal event performed on a special occasion, often with cultural significance
The opening ceremony of the festival featured dancers from across the country.
- 63exhibitverbneutral
To display works of art or objects in a public space
The gallery is exhibiting a collection of photographs from the 1960s.
- 64exhibitnounneutral
An object or collection of objects displayed in a museum or gallery
The most popular exhibit is the full-size dinosaur skeleton in the main hall.
- 65preserveverbneutral
To maintain something in its original state or protect it from damage
The government is investing heavily to preserve historic buildings in the city.
- 66restorationnounneutral
The process of returning something, especially a building or work of art, to its original condition
The restoration of the cathedral took over fifteen years to complete.
- 67depictverbneutralformal
To represent or show something in a painting, drawing, or other art form
The painting depicts a battle scene from the Napoleonic Wars.
- 68performverbneutral
To present entertainment to an audience through music, dance, or acting
The band will be performing live at the festival this weekend.
- 69solonounneutral
A piece of music or part of a performance done by one person alone
The guitar solo in the middle of the song is absolutely incredible.
- 70inspireverbneutral
To stimulate creative ideas or feelings, or to motivate someone to create
The landscape of Provence inspired many of Cézanne's greatest paintings.
- 71creativeadjectiveneutral
Having the ability or involving the use of imagination to produce original ideas or works
She's one of the most creative people I've ever met.
- 72criticnounneutral
A person who judges and writes reviews of art, music, literature, or performances
The critics loved the film but audiences found it a bit slow.
- 73reviewnounneutral
A critical assessment of a book, performance, film, or other work of art
The play got mixed reviews – some loved it, others thought it was pretentious.
- 74collectionnounneutral
A group of artworks, objects, or writings gathered together
The museum's collection includes over five thousand works of art.
- 75composeverbformal
To write a literary work such as a poem or letter
He composed a sonnet for his wife on their anniversary.
- 76premierenounneutral
The first public showing or performance of a play, film, or musical work
The world premiere of the opera took place in Milan in 1896.
- 77movementnounneutral
A distinct section of a larger musical composition, or an artistic trend or group
The second movement of the symphony is slow and deeply emotional.
- 78still lifenounneutraltechnical
A painting or drawing of an arrangement of inanimate objects
Cézanne's still lifes of fruit and bottles are among his most famous works.
- 79autobiographynounneutral
An account of a person's life written by that person
His autobiography gives a fascinating account of growing up in post-war London.
- 80costumenounneutral
Clothing worn by performers in a play, film, or at a festival
The costumes in the production were absolutely spectacular.
- 81operanounneutral
A dramatic work combining text and music, with singers and instrumentalists performing staged roles
We saw an opera at the Sydney Opera House – it was unforgettable.
- 82recitalnounneutral
A performance of music or poetry, typically by one person or a small group
She gave a piano recital at the local concert hall last weekend.
- 83patronnounneutralformal
A person who supports and funds artists or cultural institutions
The Medici family were famous patrons of the arts during the Renaissance.
- 84manuscriptnounneutral
A handwritten or typed text, especially an author's original draft of a book
She submitted the manuscript to several publishers before one accepted it.
- 85aestheticadjectiveneutralformal
Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty, especially in art
The building was designed with both aesthetic and practical considerations in mind.
- 86classicaladjectiveneutral
relating to ancient Greek or Roman culture and art; or, of music, belonging to the formal European tradition, especially the period c. 1750–1820. Note: the word has distinct uses depending on context
Relating to the traditional forms of Western art, music, or literature, especially from ancient Greece or Rome, or the classical music period
I grew up listening to classical music – my mother played it every evening.
- 87interpretverbneutral
To explain or understand the meaning of a work of art, text, or performance; also, in the performing arts, to perform or render a work in a way that reflects one's own artistic understanding
Different critics have interpreted the ending of the novel in very different ways.
- 88theaternounneutralAmerican English
American English spelling for a venue where plays are performed and for the dramatic arts.
They booked seats at a Broadway theater for the new play.
- 89artifactnounneutralAmerican English
American English spelling for a man-made object of historical or cultural significance.
The museum displayed ancient artifacts from the excavation.
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A gallery, a concert or a novel gives you plenty to say – if you have the words for it. This pack stocks them: the language of visual art, music, theatre and literature, from brushwork and rhythm to plot and performance. Built for advanced learners, it lets you describe a work, defend an opinion and hold your own in a rich cultural conversation.