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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.

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

Henry Moore wanted timeless nature to be seen through the signature holes in his monumental, semi-abstract odalisques, but in Lucas’ sculptures enduring culture is what gets glimpsed.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2019

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