WordGarden.iopostmodern
Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈəʊstmɒdən/
US
- /ˌpoʊstˈmɑdərn/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to postmodern style or theory, especially in art, architecture, literature, or culture
Beyond the definition
Imagine building with LEGOs, but instead of following the instructions to make one perfect castle, you mix pieces from different sets, leave some parts unfinished, and smile at the fact that it is all a construction. That gets close to the idea here. The word is often used for art, writing, architecture, and ideas that came after Modernism and question its big claims about order, progress, and universal truth. It often suggests irony, mixed styles, self-awareness, and a sense that reality can be seen in many different ways.
It is not always simply against Modernism. More often, it reacts to it, points out its limits, and plays with older forms instead of trusting one clear system or one final answer.
"Postmodern" is a tricky word because it means different things in different contexts, but at its heart, it represents a shift after the "Modern" era (roughly the early to mid-20th century). Modernism was characterized by a belief in progress, reason, and universal truths—think sleek skyscrapers, functional design, and grand narratives about humanity's future. Postmodernism, emerging in the latter half of the 20th century, challenged these assumptions.
It's not a style or movement with strict rules, but rather a set of ideas that question authority, objectivity, and the very notion of "truth." Postmodern thinkers argue that knowledge is constructed—shaped by culture, language, and individual perspective—rather than discovered as an objective reality. This leads to skepticism toward grand theories (like Marxism or Freudianism) and a focus on local narratives and individual experiences.
In art and architecture, postmodernism often manifests as playful experimentation with form, irony, pastiche (mixing styles), and a rejection of minimalist purity. Think of buildings that deliberately clash architectural elements, paintings that blend high and low culture, or novels that break the fourth wall and acknowledge their own fictionality.
The term is also used in philosophy to describe ideas about deconstruction, relativism, and the instability of meaning. Michel Foucault, Jacques Derrida, and Jean Baudrillard are key figures associated with postmodern thought.
However, "postmodern" can be a loaded term. Some critics see it as nihilistic or overly relativistic, arguing that its rejection of objective truth leads to moral ambiguity. Others embrace it as liberating, allowing for greater diversity and challenging oppressive power structures.
So, while complex, "postmodern" ultimately describes a cultural and intellectual landscape marked by skepticism, fragmentation, self-awareness, and a questioning of established norms—a world where the lines between high and low culture blur, and meaning is always open to interpretation.
Examples
- 1
Art history
The museum has a small collection of postmodern paintings from the 1980s.
- 2
Design style
They stayed in a postmodern hotel with bright colors, sharp angles, and playful details.
- 3
Literary style
The novel feels postmodern because the narrator keeps reminding you that you are reading a story.
- 4
Creative version
The film is a postmodern take on the old detective story.
- Patterna postmodern take on + work/genre
a version that plays with the usual style or rules
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Humor
His jokes have a postmodern edge, mixing pop culture, politics, and self-aware humor.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- postmodern art
- postmodern literature
- postmodern architecture
- postmodern theory
Word family
Explore
- deconstruction
- metafiction
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- postmodernadjective