atelier
Americannoun
-
ateliers
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected 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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Art History
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Furia
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
Christine is only slightly more experienced, no longer an atelier apprentice, but is just beginning to prove herself, constructing her first garment entirely on her own.
From Salon ● Jun. 29, 2026
On view were hastily brushed, large canvases of musketeers, toreadors, atelier scenes and cavorting couples.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026
Seamstresses from the Valentino atelier, next to the Foundation, joined the hundreds of mourners paying their respects, while the windows in the Valentino shop were shrouded by blackout blinds.
From Barron's ● Jan. 21, 2026
However, she later told the Times that after some chats about the dress over text, her mother-in-law to be had realised her atelier could not finish it in time.
From BBC ● Jan. 20, 2026
Edna went up to her atelier —a bright room in the top of the house.
From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin
In Canton, painters like Lam Qua headed ateliers devoted to Export art, adapting styles from expatriate artists such as George Chinnery to gain foreign clientele.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026
Lii is Chinese-born, has ateliers in Shanghai and Paris and is now based in Antwerp, Belgium.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 9, 2024
It went outside its ateliers and even beyond the realm of designers.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 15, 2023
A lucky few had the time, space and patience to build full-fledged, soundproof musical ateliers.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 6, 2023
The question of music at the head of the procession is of the greatest importance, and those comrades who are musical will please give their names to the delegates of the ateliers.
From The Real Latin Quarter by F. Berkeley (Frank Berkeley) Smith
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
