imagism

[ im-uh-jiz-uhm ]

/ ˈɪm əˌdʒɪz əm /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: imagistic on Thesaurus.com

noun Literature.

(often initial capital letter) a theory or practice of a group of poets in England and America between 1909 and 1917 who believed that poetry should employ the language of common speech, create new rhythms, have complete freedom in subject matter, and present a clear, concentrated, and precise image.

a style of poetry that employs free verse and the patterns and rhythms of common speech.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of imagism

First recorded in 1910–15; image + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM imagism

im·ag·ist, noun, adjectiveim·ag·is·tic, adjectiveim·ag·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby imagism

imaginative, imagine, imagineer, imagineering, imaging, imagism, imago, imam, imamate, imambarah, Imamite

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use imagism in a sentence

And it is an illuminating fact that among poets and men conversant with many poetic idioms, Imagism is rarely misconceived.
Some Imagist Poets, 1916|Richard Aldington
Imagism asks to be judged by different standards from those employed in Nineteenth-Century art.
Some Imagist Poets, 1916|Richard Aldington
But there is good verbalism, distinct from lyricism or imagism, and in this Laforgue is a master.
Instigations|Ezra Pound
In the first place “Imagism” does not mean merely the presentation of pictures.
Some Imagist Poets, 1916|Richard Aldington

“Imagism” refers to the manner of presentation, not to the subject.
Some Imagist Poets, 1916|Richard Aldington

British Dictionary definitions for imagism

imagism

/ (ˈɪmɪˌdʒɪzəm) /

noun

a poetic movement in England and America between 1912 and 1917, initiated chiefly by Ezra Pound, advocating the use of ordinary speech and the precise presentation of images

Derived forms of imagism

imagist, noun, adjectiveimagistic, adjectiveimagistically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012