semi-abstract

American  

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

adjective

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• semi-abstraction
  noun

Etymology

Origin of semi-abstract

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

semi-abstract

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

It evokes Constantin Brancusi’s 1908 “The Kiss,” a semi-abstract depiction of a nearly identical man and woman embracing eyeball to eyeball.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 18, 2022

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

From Slate ● Aug. 10, 2020

The result was an inventory of relatively traditional semi-abstract paintings.

From BBC ● Jan. 11, 2020

There were no abstract nor semi-abstract terms nor parts of speech.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India—Volume I (of IV) by Russell, R. V. (Robert Vane)