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• minimalist
  minimalist

  noun

  a person who favors a moderate approach to the achievement of a set of goals or who holds minimal expectations for the success of a program.
• Minimalist
  Minimalist

  noun

  a member of the faction of the Social Revolutionaries that advocated immediate postrevolutionary democracy

minimalist

American  

[min-uh-muh-list] / ˈmɪn ə mə lɪst /

noun

• minimalists
  plural

1. a person who favors a moderate approach to the achievement of a set of goals or who holds minimal expectations for the success of a program.

2. a practitioner of minimalism in music or art.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of minimalism.

2. being or offering no more than what is required or essential.

   a minimalist program for tax reform.

minimalist ¹ British  

/ ˈmɪnɪməlɪst /

noun

1. a person advocating a minimal policy, style, technique, action, etc

2. a minimal artist

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adjective

1. of or relating to minimal art or artists

Minimalist ² British  

/ ˈmɪnɪməlɪst /

noun

1. a member of the faction of the Social Revolutionaries that advocated immediate postrevolutionary democracy

2. a less common name for a Menshevik

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Usage

What does minimalist mean? Minimalist is most generally used as an adjective describing a style or approach  that uses a small number of elements. Minimalist can also be used to refer to a person who favors a style or approach. More specifically, minimalist can refer to an artist who practices or uses Minimalism, which can refer to a type of painting or sculpture (sometimes called minimal art), music, or other art form. Art forms labeled minimalist typically use the simplest and fewest elements with the goal of creating the maximum effect. The term minimalism can also be used in a more general way to refer to a minimalist style or approach. The related adjective minimalistic is used to describe something that is stripped down to its most essential elements or uses only what is needed. Both minimalist and minimalistic can be used to describe things that are simplified and include only the most basic components, without embellishment. Example: Jane says she’s a minimalist when it comes to interior design, but to me it just looks like her house is missing a lot of furniture.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• minimalists
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of minimalist

1905–10; in political use < French minimaliste ( minimal, -ist ), translation of Russian men'shevík Menshevik; subsequent uses perhaps recoinage with minimal, -ist

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Explanation

When you call a person a minimalist, you're describing their interest in keeping things very simple. A minimalist prefers the minimal amount or degree of something. In art history, the minimalists were artists whose work involved extremely simple gestures and ideas. The art they created is also referred to as minimalist. A white canvas with one black line might be a typical minimalist painting. But anyone who likes things very simple could be called a minimalist. A president who takes a hands-off approach to policy, a composer who only plays one note, a designer who puts only a bed in a bedroom: they're all minimalists.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

minimalist Minimalist minimalists

Smith, who is colorblind, maintains that less is more, and focuses on black-and-white photos, usually with a minimalist approach to imagery.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

The bank’s strategists greet the minimalist approach positively.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026

First, he is showing us what he jokingly calls his "minimalist executive suite" where he is surrounded by huge piles of gifts and curiosities, which he is sent every day by fans.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

No other track on the album evokes that idea better than her cover of Parton’s classic, which begins with a minimalist piano accompaniment.

From Salon ● Aug. 29, 2026

Steve Reich exemplified the minimalist movement that bridged the chasm between classical music and pop in the 1970s.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Mr. Puryear’s ambitious works incorporate African, Minimalist and modernist influences, not to mention woodworking, shipbuilding and basket weaving.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 22, 2025

Joshua Becker, founder of the Becoming Minimalist blog, sees a broader cultural shift underway.

From Salon ● May 12, 2025

The solid but shallow steel box, weighing in at a reported 1.3 tons, was an example of a recently emerging, stripped-down Minimalist aesthetic.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2025

Minimalist, clean lines were a big part of autumn and winter looks, but maximum volume is in for 2025.

From BBC ● Dec. 31, 2024

Minimalist, lots of clean lines, good for my state of mind.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

The minimalists, Osburn explained, typically share resources with friends, which also have specialized jobs.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 28, 2023

Some drew comparisons to the so-called holy minimalists of Eastern Europe, including the prominent Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.

From New York Times ● Jun. 9, 2022

“Dirtknock” samples British minimalists Young Marble Giants — and adds a boom-bap rhythm.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 20, 2021

Think small, sleek and functional when holiday shopping for minimalists this year.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 12, 2019

Unlike minimalists, I won’t argue that any specific suitcase or packing method will lead to your travel enlightenment.

From Washington Post

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Related Words

• essential
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