L'avant-garde (en. The avant-garde)

/lavɑ̃ɡaʁd/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

noun

An innovative movement in art or politics.

The artistic avant-garde of the 20th century revolutionized painting.

L'avant-garde artistique du XXe siècle a révolutionné la peinture.

A group of people who adopt radical ideas.

Avant-garde writers sought to challenge literary norms.

Les écrivains de l'avant-garde ont cherché à défier les normes littéraires.

The part of an army that advances first.

The avant-garde of the army was sent to scout the terrain.

L'avant-garde de l'armée a été envoyée pour explorer le terrain.

The term comes from military French meaning 'front' and 'guard', used in the 19th century as a metaphor to refer to innovative movements.

the avant-garde of progress

A reference to the forces that lead change or innovation.

l'avant-garde du progrès

to be at the avant-garde

To be at the forefront in a field, often in terms of innovation.

être à l'avant-garde

cultural avant-garde

Refers to artistic and intellectual movements that break with established conventions.

avant-garde culturelle

avant-gardism

The concept or philosophy that advocates new ideas or reforms in the arts.

avant-gardisme

avant-gardist

An adjective describing something or someone that is part of the avant-garde.

avant-gardiste

reform

A change or improvement made to a system or organization, often related to the avant-garde.

réforme

To be at the cutting edge of the trend

This new music style is really avant-garde!

Ce nouveau style de musique est vraiment avant-garde !

An enthusiast of new technologies

He is so avant-garde with his cutting-edge gadgets.

Il est tellement avant-garde avec ses gadgets dernier cri.