avant-garde-ize
|a-vant-garde-ize|
🇺🇸
/ˌævɑ̃ˈɡɑrdˌaɪz/
🇬🇧
/ˌævɒ̃ˈɡɑːdˌaɪz/
make avant-garde
Etymology
'avant-garde-ize' originates from French, specifically the phrase 'avant-garde', where 'avant' meant 'before' and 'garde' meant 'guard', combined with the English verb-forming suffix '-ize' (from Greek '-izein' via Latin/French) meaning 'to make' or 'to render'.
'avant-garde-ize' was formed in modern English by attaching the productive English suffix '-ize' to the French loan 'avant-garde' to create a verb meaning 'to make avant-garde'; this mirrors other English formations like 'modernize' and 'radicalize'.
Initially, 'avant-garde' referred to a 'vanguard' or 'advance guard'; combined with '-ize', the constructed verb originally meant 'to make into a vanguard (in style)', and it has retained that specialized meaning of 'to render something avant-garde'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or process of making something avant-garde; an instance of transforming a work or style into an avant-garde form (nominalization of the verb).
The avant-garde-ization of the gallery program drew both praise and controversy.
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Verb 1
to make something avant-garde; to render or transform (a work, style, or practice) into an avant-garde form or aesthetic.
The director decided to avant-garde-ize the classic play, introducing abstract staging and unconventional sound design.
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Adjective 1
describing something that has been made avant-garde or given an avant-garde treatment.
They displayed several avant-garde-ized garments alongside the designer's classic pieces.
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Last updated: 2026/01/13 00:53