Word

surrealism

noun C1

/səˈɹiː(.ə)l.ɪz.əm/

Meanings

noun

a modern art and literary movement that uses dreamlike, illogical imagery to explore the unconscious mind

noun

a style in art, film, or writing that feels dreamlike, strange, and unreal

Definition

Surrealism is a 20th-century art and literary movement that combines dreamlike imagery with unexpected, illogical elements.

Surrealism is an artistic and literary movement that became influential in the early 20th century. It aims to express the unconscious mind by using strange, dreamlike scenes and surprising juxtapositions. Surrealist works often look realistic in detail but feel impossible or irrational in meaning.

Examples

Her essay argues that surrealism dismantles ordinary logic to reveal hidden desires and anxieties.
I started to appreciate surrealism once I noticed how carefully its impossible scenes are rendered.
They curated an exhibition that traces surrealism from early collage to experimental cinema.
He criticized the film’s use of surrealism as decorative, claiming it distracted from the plot’s emotional stakes.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse surrealism with general “surreal” meaning “very strange,” but surrealism refers specifically to an art/literary movement or style.