Directoire
Americanadjective
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noting or pertaining to the style of French furnishings and decoration of the mid-1790s, characterized by an increasing use of Greco-Roman forms along with an introduction, toward the end, of Egyptian motifs: usually includes the Consulate period.
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(of costume) in the style of the period of the French Directory.
noun
noun
adjective
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of, in, or relating to a decorative style of the end of the 18th century in France; a form of neoclassicism
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characteristic of women's dress during the French Directory, typically an almost transparent dress with the waistline under the bust
Etymology
Origin of Directoire
From French; see origin at directory
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.
The style had roots in the late 18th century, when France’s Directoire era represented a retreat from gaudy Rococo maximalism and an embrace of clean, froth-free lines.
From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026
The bones of Mabille’s apartment allude to that so-called Directoire style.
From New York Times ● May 31, 2018
At Frank Partridge, there’s a gaudy, repellent yet fascinating Directoire ormolu mantel clock made in France in 1795.
From New York Times ● Oct. 16, 2014
A serious Martha Mitchell touched up her Directoire coiffure and faced the cameras wearing green silk and diamonds.
From Time Magazine Archive
The Directoire withdrew Bernadotte with a strong division from Germany to strengthen Bonaparte, and raised his army to 70,000 men.
From The French Revolution A Short History by R. M. (Robert Matteson) Johnston
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.
