online vocabulary.com

Tableau - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A tableau is a vivid, motionless scene where people pose to represent a story or idea, often used in drama or art. It can also refer to a structured visual display of data.

tableau

/tæˈbloʊ/ /ˈtæbləʊ/

Definition:

A vivid or graphic description, representation, or scene, often in art or literature.

Synonyms:

scene, depiction, portrayal, picture, illustration

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

obscurity, vagueness

Common Collocations:

dramatic tableau, living tableau, striking tableau, visual tableau

Derivatives:

tableaux (plural), tableaulike

Usage Tips:

Use "tableau" to describe a striking visual scene or artistic representation; often implies a static or posed quality.

Common Phrases:

tableau vivant, frozen tableau, living tableau

Etymology:

From French "tableau," meaning "picture" or "board," derived from Latin "tabula" (a board or tablet).

Examples:

  • 1. The artist created a stunning tableau of the countryside.
  • 2. The play ended with a dramatic tableau of the main characters frozen in place.
  • 3. Her story painted a vivid tableau of life in the city.
  • 4. The museum displayed an ancient tableau depicting a royal ceremony.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS