Mosaic
/məʊˈzeɪɪk/
Definitions
3 meaningsA design or picture made by putting together small colored pieces.
/məʊˈzeɪɪk/
A picture or pattern produced by arranging together small colored pieces of hard material, such as stone, tile, or glass.
The artist spent months creating a mosaic for the church altar.
💡 Simply: Think of it like a puzzle, but instead of interlocking shapes, you have tiny, colorful squares that create a picture. Like the ones you sometimes see on floors or walls in fancy buildings!
👶 For kids: A picture made of lots of tiny, colorful squares stuck together!
More Examples
We admired the intricate mosaics in the ancient Roman ruins.
She learned the technique of mosaic making in her art class.
How It's Used
"The cathedral floor was decorated with a stunning Byzantine mosaic."
"Archaeologists discovered ancient Roman mosaics during their dig."
A combination of different things or characteristics, creating a complex and interesting whole.
/məʊˈzeɪɪk/
A collection of diverse elements.
The cultural festival was a vibrant mosaic of music, dance, and food.
💡 Simply: Like a group of friends with different hobbies and personalities, a 'mosaic' can be a bunch of different things, people, or ideas that come together to make something new and interesting. Like a delicious pizza, it’s a blend of ingredients
👶 For kids: A bunch of different things mixed together!
More Examples
The author's novel offered a mosaic of perspectives on the issue.
The city's population is a mosaic of people from all over the world.
How It's Used
"The city is a mosaic of different cultures and traditions."
"His book presented a mosaic of fragmented memories and experiences."
Characterized by a combination of diverse or contrasting elements.
/məʊˈzeɪɪk/
Composed of diverse elements; variegated.
The mosaic forest exhibited a variety of tree species.
💡 Simply: Imagine a neighborhood where every house is a different color, or where people have different backgrounds and perspectives. A mosaic is something like that! It’s made up of lots of different parts.
👶 For kids: Made of lots of different parts that look different!
More Examples
The museum's exhibit offered a mosaic view of the artist's life.
The book presented a mosaic of different historical perspectives.
How It's Used
"The forest exhibited a mosaic pattern of habitats."
"The urban landscape was characterized by a mosaic of architectural styles."
Synonyms
Inlay
Montage
Assortment
Blend
Collection
Mixture
Diverse
Heterogeneous
Idioms & expressions
mosaic virus
A plant disease characterized by a mottled pattern of discolored leaves.
"The crops were affected by the mosaic virus, resulting in significant yield loss."
From French mosaïque, from Italian mosaico, from Medieval Latin *musaicum* (opus musivum, 'work of the Muses'), from Greek *mouseios* (pertaining to the Muses).
The term mosaic has been used in art and architecture for centuries, with examples dating back to ancient civilizations like Rome and Greece.
Memory tip
Imagine tiny, colored tiles forming a beautiful image.