moderne

American  

[moh-dairn, muh-] / moʊˈdɛərn, mə- /

adjective

1. pretentiously modern; striving to appear modern but lacking style or conviction.

2. (often initial capital letter) of or noting a style of decorative art and architecture of the 1930s and 1940s that was influenced by streamlined industrial design of airplanes, ships, and cars: usually considered to be a later development of art deco.

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moderne British  

/ məˈdɛən /

adjective

1. of or relating to the style of architecture and design, prevalent in Europe and the US in the late 1920s and 1930s, typified by the use of straight lines, tubular chromed steel frames, contrasting inlaid woods, etc Compare Art Deco

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Etymology

Origin of moderne

< French: modern

Example Sentences

That’s part of the job description for owning a 1941 art moderne landmark.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 23, 2022

Built in 1932, the moderne bridge suffered from what engineers called “concrete cancer,” continually disintegrating due to a chemical reaction, and had to be replaced.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2022

Demolished in 1974: The art moderne Capital Garage, 1320 New York Ave., its facade of limestone and glass ornamented with low-relief sculptures of 1920s radiator grills and headlights.

From Washington Post • Jan. 13, 2016

Corsets were already on their way out in 1911 when this ad appeared in La Vie Heureuse, coyly affirming the link between feminism and femininity at the core of the femme moderne identity.

From Slate • Sep. 14, 2012

That there is a world in the Moone, hath beene the direct opinion of many ancient, with some moderne Mathematicians, and may probably be deduced from the tenents of others.

From The Discovery of a World in the Moone Or, A Discovrse Tending To Prove That 'Tis Probable There May Be Another Habitable World In That Planet by Wilkins, John