Arts & Humanities — words for literature, art and criticism

meaningnoun

what something is intended to express or represent.

lookverb

Direct one's eyes toward something to see it.

rightadjective

Correct or morally acceptable.

buildverb

construct something by putting parts together.

printverb

produce text or images on paper using a machine.

pointnoun

a specific idea, fact, or particular moment.

developverb

grow or change gradually into a more advanced state.

quietadjective

making little or no noise

fallverb

drop down toward the ground unintentionally

centurynoun

period of one hundred years

practicenoun

repeated activity done to improve a skill.

subjectnoun

topic being discussed or studied.

reshapeverb

To change the form or nature of something.

standardnoun

a level of quality or a rule used to judge or measure things

stylenoun

a particular way of doing, making, or expressing something

joinverb

to become a member of a group or connect with something

perfectadjective

having no faults or flaws, exactly right

designnoun

a plan or drawing made to show how something will look or work

modernadjective

relating to present or recent times

ancientadjective

belonging to a time long past in history

graduallyadverb

happening slowly over a period of time

artnoun

creative work expressing ideas or beauty

musicnoun

organized sound created for enjoyment

keyadjective

Most important or essential factor.

picturenoun

an image made by a camera, painting, or drawing

handnoun

the part of the body at the end of the arm used for holding

ratenoun

a measure or amount of something compared to another

languagenoun

system of words used for communication

wallnoun

upright structure enclosing or dividing space

drawverb

to make a picture using pencil or pen

spotnoun

particular place or a small mark

figurenoun

a number or shape, or an important person

seatnoun

place for sitting, such as a chair

storynoun

account of events, real or imagined

trustnoun

firm belief in reliability of someone.

paintnoun

colored liquid applied to a surface for decoration

artistnoun

person who creates paintings, music, or other creative work

workshopnoun

session where people learn a skill through practice

flatadjective

Having a smooth, level surface without bumps.

imagenoun

visual representation or picture of something

scenenoun

place where an event happens, or part of a play

cutverb

divide something using a sharp tool

earnverb

receive money in return for work done

inventionnoun

something new created or designed for the first time

creditnoun

recognition given for achievement, or borrowed money arrangement

directionnoun

the course or path something moves or points toward

middlenoun

the point equally distant from the edges of something

talladjective

having greater than average height

vanishverb

disappear suddenly and completely

filmnoun

Moving picture shown at a cinema or on screen.

designernoun

Person who plans how something will look or function.

eyenoun

Body part used for seeing.

perspectivenoun

particular way of viewing or thinking about something

powerfuladjective

having great strength, influence, or effect

stagenoun

particular period or step in a process

techniquenoun

particular method used to perform a task skillfully

busyadjective

occupied with lots of activity or tasks

explanationnoun

a statement that makes something clear

masterverb

to gain complete skill or control over something

culturaladjective

relating to shared customs, arts, and beliefs of a society

historicaladjective

relating to events or people from the past

dismissverb

refuse to consider something seriously

electricadjective

powered by or relating to electricity

scalenoun

size or extent of something compared to others

audiencenoun

A group of people gathered to watch or listen to something.

medievaladjective

Relating to the historical period between roughly the 5th and 15th centuries in Europe.

observationnoun

The act of carefully watching something to gather information.

richadjective

Having a large amount of money or valuable resources.

cuenoun

signal prompting someone to act or speak

songnoun

short piece of music with lyrics sung aloud

rewardnoun

something given in return for good behavior or effort

craftverb

make something skillfully, especially by hand.

judgeverb

form an opinion about someone or something after consideration.

labelnoun

small tag attached to an item showing information about it.

momentnoun

very brief period of time.

convinceverb

cause someone to believe or agree with something

divideverb

split something into separate parts

harbornoun

sheltered area of water where ships dock

labornoun

physical or mental work performed

minoradjective

not very serious or important.

movienoun

film shown for entertainment.

painternoun

person who creates pictures or coats walls with color.

panelnoun

flat section of a surface, or group of experts.

patientadjective

able to wait calmly without complaint; also person under medical care.

smoothadjective

having an even surface without bumps

plotnoun

sequence of events in a story, or small piece of land

rhythmnoun

Regular repeated pattern of sound or movement, especially in music.

shotnoun

Act of firing a weapon or attempting to hit a target.

boldadjective

confident and willing to take risks

emotionnoun

strong feeling such as joy, anger, or fear

playernoun

person who takes part in a game or sport

tensionnoun

state of mental strain or unresolved conflict

theaternoun

building where plays or performances happen

visualadjective

relating to seeing or sight

admireverb

regard someone or something with great respect

conveyverb

communicate or make an idea known to others

exaggeratedadjective

Made to seem larger or more extreme than reality.

historiannoun

Person who studies past events professionally.

looseadjective

Not firmly fixed or fitted; not tight.

portraitnoun

picture of a person, especially of their face.

positionnoun

place where someone or something is located.

seriousadjective

requiring careful thought or causing concern

shimmeringadjective

shining with a soft, flickering light

woodenadjective

made from the material of trees

threadnoun

thin strand of twisted fiber used for sewing

archnoun

curved structure supporting weight above an opening

dramanoun

serious play performed on stage or screen

instrumentnoun

tool used for precise work or making music

silentadjective

Making no sound at all.

singernoun

A person who performs songs with their voice.

melodynoun

sequence of musical notes that forms a tune

paintingnoun

picture created using colored substances applied to a surface

singverb

produce musical sounds with one's voice

studionoun

room or building used for creating art, music, or film

approvedadjective

officially accepted or agreed to as satisfactory

beautynoun

quality of being pleasing to look at

black-and-whiteadjective

having only two colors, no gray shades, or overly simple in judgment

characternoun

combination of qualities that form someone's nature, or a person in a story

choirnoun

organized group of singers performing together

depthnoun

distance from top surface downward