avant-garde
UK: ˌævɒ̃ ˈɡɑːd | US: ˌɑːvɑ̃ː ˈɡɑːrd
n. A group or movement that pioneers innovative or experimental ideas, especially in the arts.
adj. Describing something radically new or ahead of its time, often in art, culture, or politics.
avant-garde = avant<before> + garde<guard>
- avant (from Old French "avant," meaning "before," derived from Latin "ab ante" – "from before").
- garde (from Old French "garde," meaning "guard," derived from Germanic "*wardōn" – "to watch or protect").
Etymology Origin:
Originally a military term in French (15th century), "avant-garde" referred to the front-line troops who scouted ahead. By the 19th century, it metaphorically described artists and thinkers leading cultural progress. The word retains its French spelling, reflecting its unassimilated loanword status in English.
The avant-garde filmmaker challenged traditional storytelling techniques.
Picasso’s work was considered avant-garde in the early 20th century.
The magazine publishes avant-garde poetry and experimental prose.
Critics debated whether the design was truly avant-garde or merely eccentric.
Her fashion designs blend avant-garde aesthetics with wearable functionality.