postmodern
gb/pˌoʊstmˈɑdɚn/ us/pˌoʊstmˈɑdɚn/
C1
English
~ 9800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
relating to postmodernism as a movement
About the style and ideas called postmodernism, used in modern art, buildings, books, and thinking.
Usage pattern:
postmodern [art/form/architecture/philosophy/theory/work]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *postmodern* when they only mean *modern* or *new*. *Postmodern* usually refers to a specific movement and set of ideas, not just anything recent. Another mistake is confusing *postmodern* (adjective) with *postmodernism* (noun: the movement or set of ideas).
Synonyms
postmodernist (More technical; strongly tied to the formal movement and its theories, especially in academic writing.)
|
contemporary (Often just means current or modern, without the specific artistic and philosophical ideas of postmodernism.)
Antonyms
modernist (Refers to the earlier movement that postmodernism reacts against in art and thought.)
|
traditional (Suggests following older, established styles instead of experimental postmodern ones.)
Collocations
postmodern art
|postmodern architecture
|postmodern literature
|postmodern philosophy
|postmodern theory
|postmodern aesthetics
Themes
art
|culture
|philosophy
|arts_entertainment
|education
Examples
- The museum is hosting an exhibition of postmodern art from the 1980s.
- Her latest novel uses many postmodern techniques, including fragmented narration and self‑reference.
- The hotel’s postmodern architecture mixes classical columns with bright neon colors.
- In the seminar we compared modernist and postmodern approaches to literary criticism.
- The course offers an introduction to major thinkers in postmodern philosophy.
Learner examples
- We studied postmodern art in our class.
- This book explains postmodern ideas in simple words.
- The city is famous for its postmodern buildings.
- He enjoys postmodern literature and strange stories.
- They discussed postmodern theory at the university.
adjective
C1
property
2
ironically self-aware, mixed-style
Showing a playful, ironic style that mixes many different styles and ideas, often talking about itself as a work.
Usage pattern:
a postmodern [attitude/touch/joke/movie]
Common mistake:
Learners may think *postmodern* here only means *new* or *fashionable*. In this sense it also suggests irony, self‑awareness, and mixing of styles. Another confusion is using *postmodern* as if it were a value judgment like *cool*; it mainly describes style, not quality.
Synonyms
self‑referential (Focuses on the work referring to itself, but does not always include the cultural mixing and irony of postmodern style.)
|
ironic (Highlights the humor or distance, but not necessarily the complex mixing of cultural levels and styles.)
Antonyms
earnest (Suggests a serious, sincere approach without the playful distance typical of postmodern style.)
|
straightforward (Lacks the layered, self‑aware or mixed style implied by postmodern.)
Collocations
postmodern sensibility
|postmodern attitude
|postmodern humor
|postmodern twist
|postmodern take
|postmodern pastiche
Themes
culture
|media
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The film takes a postmodern approach, constantly reminding you that you’re watching a movie.
- Her songs are full of postmodern humor, mixing opera, pop, and internet memes.
- The ad has a very postmodern feel, with retro graphics and ironic voice‑over.
- He gave a postmodern take on the superhero story by breaking the fourth wall.
- Critics praised the show’s postmodern sensibility and playful use of clichés.
Learner examples
- The movie is very postmodern and makes jokes about itself.
- His video has a postmodern style with many mixed images.
- The writer adds a postmodern twist to a simple love story.
- This play has a postmodern attitude and does not feel serious.
- I like the postmodern humor in this TV show.
adjective
technical
C1
property
3
belonging to era after modernity
About the time or society that people see as coming after the modern period, in history or culture.
Usage pattern:
postmodern [society/world/era/capitalism]
Common mistake:
Learners may think *postmodern* simply means *future* or *science‑fiction‑like*. In this sense it refers to a debated historical and social period after modernity, not just anything futuristic.
Synonyms
late‑modern (Often used in sociology to describe the last stage of modernity; overlaps but may stress continuity with modernity more than *postmodern* does.)
|
postindustrial (Focuses specifically on an economy based more on services and information than on industry, not on the broader cultural period.)
Antonyms
modern (Refers to the earlier historical period or condition that *postmodern* is said to follow or transform.)
|
premodern (Describes societies or times before the modern era, the opposite direction on the historical timeline.)
Collocations
postmodern society
|postmodern world
|postmodern era
|postmodern condition
|postmodern capitalism
|postmodern age
Themes
history
|society
|culture
|education
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- Some sociologists argue that we now live in a fully postmodern society.
- The book examines how identity changes in a postmodern world.
- He describes globalization as a key feature of the postmodern era.
- Her research focuses on family life in postmodern urban settings.
- The author questions whether we are really in a postmodern age or still part of modernity.
Learner examples
- Many writers say we live in a postmodern world.
- The film shows life in a postmodern city.
- This article talks about love in postmodern society.
- They study culture in the postmodern era.
- Some people do not like the postmodern age.
Noun
technical
C2
entity
4
supporter or creator of postmodernism
A person who likes, uses, or defends postmodern ideas in art, writing, or thinking.
Usage pattern:
a postmodern [argues/says/claims that] …
Common mistake:
Learners often use *postmodern* as a noun where *postmodernist* would be more natural. In many contexts *postmodernist* is preferred, but *postmodern* does occur as a noun in academic writing.
Synonyms
postmodernist (More common and transparent noun form; often preferred in formal writing.)
Antonyms
modernist (A supporter of the earlier movement that postmodern thinkers and artists often reject or criticize.)
|
traditionalist (Someone who favors established ways and resists the experimental approaches of postmoderns.)
Collocations
the postmoderns
|a radical postmodern
|postmoderns argue that
|critic of the postmoderns
Themes
art
|philosophy
|academia
|arts_entertainment
|education
Examples
- Many postmoderns reject the idea of a single, objective truth.
- The book attacks the postmoderns for undermining scientific authority.
- As a committed postmodern, she questions all grand historical stories.
- The debate between modernists and postmoderns shaped literary theory in the late twentieth century.
- Some postmoderns celebrate popular culture as seriously as classical art.
Learner examples
- Some postmoderns say there is no single truth.
- He is a postmodern and likes to question everything.
- Many postmoderns work in art and philosophy.
- The writer is a famous postmodern in literary studies.
- Modernists and postmoderns often disagree.
Grammar
Dictionary form
postmodern
IPA
GB/pˌoʊstmˈɑdɚn/
US/pˌoʊstmˈɑdɚn/
Syllables & stress
post - mod - ern (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mod)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: postmodern
Word family
Core family
postmodernism
noun
postmodernist
noun/adjective
Related words
modern
adjective A2
modernism
noun C1
modernist
noun/adjective
modernize
verb B2
modernization
noun B2
Advanced or less common
postmodernity
noun
modernity
noun C1
Expressions
postmodern architecture
1/pˌoʊstmˈɑdɚn ˈɑɹkɪtˌɛkt͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
buildings in postmodern style
Building design that uses postmodernism, often mixing old and new styles in a playful way.
Examples
- The city hall is a famous example of postmodern architecture.
- Postmodern architecture often includes bright colors and unusual shapes.
postmodern art
1/pˌoʊstmˈɑdɚn ˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
art in the postmodern style
Art that uses ideas and styles of postmodernism, often mixing many styles and using irony.
Examples
- The gallery specializes in postmodern art from the 1970s and 1980s.
- Students analyzed how postmodern art questions the idea of originality.
postmodern condition
1/pˌoʊstmˈɑdɚn kəndˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
state of society in postmodernity
The way society is when seen as postmodern, a term often used in academic writing.
Examples
- Lyotard’s book *The Postmodern Condition* helped popularize the term.
- They discussed how the postmodern condition affects our trust in experts.
postmodern culture
1/pˌoʊstmˈɑdɚn kˈʌlt͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
culture with postmodern traits
Modern culture that shows postmodern features, like mixing high and low art and using irony.
Examples
- The book explains how advertising fits into postmodern culture.
- Streaming platforms have become central to postmodern culture.
postmodern era
1/pˌoʊstmˈɑdɚn ˈɛɹə/
fixed phrase
technical
historical era of postmodernity
A time period that some thinkers call postmodern, coming after the modern age.
Examples
- The author claims the postmodern era began in the late twentieth century.
- Digital media are seen as a key sign of the postmodern era.
postmodern literature
1/pˌoʊstmˈɑdɚn lˈɪtɚət͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
literature in postmodern style
Stories and novels that use postmodern ideas, such as playing with time, telling the story in pieces, or talking about themselves.
Examples
- The course gives an overview of postmodern literature after World War II.
- Postmodern literature often blurs the line between fiction and reality.
postmodern philosophy
1/pˌoʊstmˈɑdɚn fəlˈɑsəfi/
fixed phrase
technical
philosophical thought in postmodernism
Philosophy that questions big stories about truth and history, and that is linked to postmodernism.
Examples
- Her thesis explores how postmodern philosophy challenges science.
- Postmodern philosophy is often critical of fixed ideas about identity.
postmodern society
1/pˌoʊstmˈɑdɚn səsˈaɪəti/
fixed phrase
technical
society in the postmodern era
A society that people describe as coming after the modern period, often with fast change and many choices.
Examples
- Some writers argue that postmodern society produces flexible but insecure identities.
- The study looks at family life in postmodern society.
postmodern theory
1/pˌoʊstmˈɑdɚn θˈiɚi/
fixed phrase
technical
theories grounded in postmodernism
Academic ideas that use postmodern thinking to study language, culture, or society.
Examples
- The class introduces key ideas of postmodern theory.
- Postmodern theory has influenced film and media studies.
postmodern world
1/pˌoʊstmˈɑdɚn wˈɚld/
fixed phrase
the world in a postmodern state
The present world seen as postmodern, with fast information, many cultures, and few clear rules.
Examples
- In a postmodern world, people often build their own mix of beliefs.
- The film shows how hard it is to trust news in our postmodern world.