WordValemosaic
a picture made from small pieces of colored material
In more detail
1. (noun) a picture or pattern made by fitting together small pieces of colored stone, glass, or tile
2. (noun) something made up of many different parts or elements that form a whole
Examples
- 1. The bathroom wall is decorated with a beautiful mosaic of blue and white tiles.
- 2. The neighborhood is a mosaic of different cultures and languages.
How to use mosaic
Mosaic is used both literally to describe the craft and artwork of fitted tiles or stones, and figuratively to describe complex wholes made of diverse elements, especially in cultural or social contexts. The figurative sense often carries a positive connotation of diversity creating beauty or coherence. It is more evocative and literary than the plain synonym 'mixture.'
Common phrases
- intricate mosaic
- cultural mosaic
- mosaic of cultures
- tile mosaic
- create a mosaic
- mosaic pattern
Synonyms
patchwork · composite · collage · mixture · kaleidoscope
Opposites
uniformity · homogeneity
Word family
mosaic (adjective) · mosaically (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse mosaic with montage; while both involve combining elements, mosaic emphasizes fitted pieces and visual or conceptual balance, while montage emphasizes sequence or juxtaposition, especially in film.
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