semi-abstract

American

[sem-ee-ab-strakt, -ab-strakt, sem-ahy-] / ˌsɛm iˈæb strækt, -æbˈstrækt, ˌsɛm aɪ- /

adjective

pertaining to or designating a style of painting or sculpture in which the subject remains recognizable although the forms are highly stylized in a manner derived from abstract art.

Other Word Forms

semi-abstraction noun

Etymology

Origin of semi-abstract

First recorded in 1940–45

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.

He specialised in semi-abstract bronze sculptures which were displayed in public places.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

The novel is an epic, but “Behind the South,” while inspired by the book, is largely a mix of ritual theater and semi-abstract dance sections.

From New York Times • Feb. 28, 2024

One early painting, the semi-abstract “Salazar Vomiting the Homeland,” excoriated the dictatorship and would have been impossible to display at the time in Portugal.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 8, 2022

She was a talented artist and did several lovely semi-abstract self-portraits.

From Slate • Aug. 10, 2020

And observe that St. John does not, in applying these semi-abstract words to God, attenuate in the slightest degree His personality.

From Christian Mysticism by Inge, William Ralph

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023