Dada

Dada

ˈdäˌdä

Noun

  • An early 20th-century international movement in art, literature, music, and film, repudiating and mocking artistic and social conventions and emphasizing the illogical and absurd.

Get a new word in your inbox every day.

By subscribing you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Example Sentences

“I didn’t appreciate Dada art until I visited the Marcel Duchamp exhibition.”

“The Italian film festival had many Dada-inspired entries.”

“This form of absurd art got its start in France in the 1920s, but Dada still influences artists today.”

Word Origin

French, early 20th century

Why this word?

As an artistic movement, Dada (or Dadaism) took off in early 1920s Paris. This appreciation of nonsense, chaos, and the absurd is thought to be a rebound against the effects of World War I and a capitalist society. As technology was advancing, Dada spanned across many artistic mediums, including performance art. Some of the leading Dada artists were Marcel Duchamp, Hans Arp, and Man Ray. Duchamp, in particular, had a profound impact on the art world, leading into the surrealist art movement.

  • More brands you’ll love

    Elevate Your Everyday

    More brands you’ll love

    Elevate Your Everyday

    Subscribe to Better Report to receive tips and tricks that will save you money, maximize your time, and improve your life.

    Subscribe to Better Report
    By clicking “Subscribe” you’re agreeing to Better Report Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Learn a new word Eau De Nil

ˌō də ˈnē