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wabi-sabi

American  
[wah-bee-sah-bee] / ˈwɑ biˈsɑ bi /

noun

  1. a Japanese aesthetic concept that finds beauty and serenity in objects, landscapes, designs, etc., that are simple, imperfect, and impermanent.

    It's the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which delights in the tarnish on an ancient silver bowl and the old uneven cobblestones.


Etymology

Origin of wabi-sabi

First recorded in 1990–95; from Japanese

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.

Craft’s 20th century Modernist revival offers a road map for understanding why his signature wabi-sabi surrealism at Loewe resonated so intensely, and no one channels this history quite like Josef and Anni.

From Los Angeles Times

My dating go-to spots mostly lined the Venice stretch along Abbot Kinney Boulevard, especially Wabi-Sabi or the Tasting Kitchen.

From Los Angeles Times

“We don’t like to repeat ourselves. This will be a wabi-sabi, minimal vibe. We’ll have nature sounds on the speakers more than rock music, and maybe some water fountains.”

From Los Angeles Times

The team looked to Japanese wabi-sabi for the hotel interiors and used reclaimed wood for many of the finishes.

From Los Angeles Times

The thing that has been sitting in my online shopping cart for months: This silver Ann Demeulemeester “Charliese” fingernail ring that sits above your top knuckle and looks like a wabi-sabi acrylic.

From Los Angeles Times