bricolage

American  

[bree-kuh-lahzh, brik-uh-] / ˌbri kəˈlɑʒ, ˌbrɪk ə- /

noun

bricolages plural

1. a construction made of whatever materials are at hand; something created from a variety of available things.

2. (in literature) a piece created from diverse resources.

3. (in art) a piece of makeshift handiwork.

4. the use of multiple, diverse research methods.

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bricolage British  

/ ˈbrɪkəˌlɑːʒ, brɪkɔlaʒ /

noun

1. the jumbled effect produced by the close proximity of buildings from different periods and in different architectural styles

2. the deliberate creation of such an effect in certain modern developments

   the post-modernist bricolage of the new shopping centre

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Etymology

Origin of bricolage

First recorded in 1960–65; from French, literally, “do-it-yourself,” from bricoler “to do odd jobs, small chores,” from Middle French bricoler “to zigzag, bounce off,” from Old French bricole “a trifle, bricole ( def. ) ” + -age -age ( def. )

Explanation

Using whatever materials you have on hand to create something new, whether it's food, art, or even a concept, you’re being resourceful by creating a bricolage. Bricolage (pronounced bree-koh-LAHZH) is a French term that refers to the art of making something new by combining a diverse range of readily available materials. Bricolage involves using whatever is at hand to construct, fix, or decorate, often leading to creative and unique results. This can apply to various fields, from art and design to problem-solving and construction. The essence of bricolage lies in its resourcefulness and creativity, transforming everyday items into inventive creations.

Example Sentences

Farto, better known as Vhils, collected doors in Cairo and elsewhere in the world for a bricolage intended to evoke the archaeological process.

From Barron's • Nov. 11, 2025

Calle makes this explicit in the patterning of “The Hotel,” which eschews chronology in favor of bricolage.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2021

Wright brings his familiar scattershot style to an essentially conventional biopic, his bricolage approach entailing generous dollops of home movies, family photos, archival footage, cheeky animations and talking-head interviews.

From Washington Post • Jun. 15, 2021

And the culinary bricolage of the island continues to expand as a younger generation of farmers and chefs insist on modernizing the cuisine.

From New York Times • Mar. 22, 2021

It’s a difficult question, but I love it for its feat of bricolage – for how it does so much with so little.

From The Guardian • Jan. 28, 2020