German word

Avantgarde

Pronunciation

IPA/aˈvɑ̃ːgaʁdə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounavant-garde

Example

Die Avantgarde setzt neue Trends.

The avant-garde sets new trends.

Illustration for Avantgarde (avant-garde)

More examples

In der Avantgarde entstehen oft radikale Formen.

Radical forms often emerge in the avant-garde.

Core concept

A small group stands at the front of cultural change, trying forms that later influence the wider field.

Common phrases

  • Avantgarde-Kunst

    avant-garde art

  • Avantgarde-Szene

    avant-garde scene

  • Avantgarde-Musik

    avant-garde music

Similar words

Vorreiter: A person or group that leads the way in a developing movement or trend.
Pionier: A person or group that first takes on an unexplored field or area.
Wegbereiter: A person or action that makes it easier for others to follow a new course.
Trendsetter: A person or force that sparks fashions or styles later adopted by many.

Definition in German

Avantgarde bezeichnet vorn stehende Künstler oder Gruppen, die mit neuen Ideen Trends setzen und andere beeinflussen.

Word origin

German Avantgarde comes from French avant-garde, a military term formed from avant, meaning "before," and garde, meaning "guard."

Usage tips

  • Avantgarde is a feminine German noun, so the standard article is die: die Avantgarde.

Other meanings

  • innovatorsnoun
  • pioneernoun
  • cutting edgenoun

Opposites

  • Traditiontraditionnoun
  • Konservatismusconservatismnoun

Related words

  • Avantgardistavant-gardistnoun
  • Avantgardismusavant-gardismnoun
  • avantgardistischavant-gardeadjective

Word lists with this word