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Definition of minimalist

minimalist

/ˈmɪn.ɪ.məl.ɪst/
min · i · mal · ist

Adverb:minimalistically
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Plural:minimalists
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Adjective:minimalistic
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minimalist Lexical Profile

minimalist Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Characterized by extreme simplicity, spareness, and the deliberate elimination of non-essential elements in art, music, design, or lifestyle.

Example

"They furnished their apartment in a clean, minimalist style with bare white walls and functional wooden furniture."

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Antonyms
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• noun

1

A practitioner or advocate of minimalism in visual art, music, architecture, or design, favoring pared-down forms and fundamental geometric structures.

Example

"The composer was a pioneering minimalist whose pieces relied on repeating short melodic phrases over long durations."


2

A person who chooses to live simply with very few material possessions, avoiding unnecessary clutter or consumption.

Example

"After downsizing to a tiny home, she became a committed minimalist and donated most of her wardrobe."


3

A person in politics or negotiations who advocates only minimal, moderate, or immediately achievable reforms or demands.

Example

"During the constitutional convention, the minimalists argued for incremental legal adjustments rather than a total overhaul."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 20th century as a loan translation of the Russian 'minimalist' to describe a political faction seeking moderate reforms, before being adopted in the 1960s to describe movements in visual art, music, and design.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Minimalist. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/minimalist
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