atelier
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of atelier
First recorded in 1830–40; from French: literally, “pile of chips” (hence, “workshop”), from Old French astele “chip (from Late Latin astella “splinter,” diminutive of Latin astula, assula “splinter,” equivalent to ass(is) “plank, board” + -ula ) + -ier noun suffix; see -ule, -ier 2
Explanation
An atelier is a workshop where an artist creates. An atelier is basically a studio, but it sounds way cooler. It’s a French word, so say it with an accent. An atelier is a room where artists make their work. A painter’s atelier will be full of paint, brushes, canvases, and other tools of the trade. Sculptors and designers also have ateliers. An atelier gives the artist the space and privacy needed to create. An atelier is a place of creativity.
Vocabulary lists containing atelier
The Awakening
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Art History
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Furia
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In October, Estée Lauder opened a Fragrance Atelier in Paris, with the goal of using advanced technology to help develop new scents.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 2, 2025
Because of their curves, the couches create a space within a space, adds Atlanta-based Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis, who describes them as hug-like and enveloping.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2025
Those approvals came with high-end restaurant partnerships: Upside’s chicken soon appeared at San Francisco’s Bar Crenn, sister restaurant of Michelin-starred Atelier Crenn, and José Andrés’ China Chilcano began serving Good Meat’s chicken in D.C.
From Salon • Apr. 10, 2024
America Ferrara carried the torch by wearing a Barbie pink gown by Atelier Versace.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 10, 2024
Atelier de reparation, thinks Werner, a chamber in which to make reparations.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
