aesthetics
aesthetics — noun
1. the qualities in something that make it look beautiful or pleasing to the eye
the qualities in something that make it look beautiful or pleasing to the eye
Maeve cared more about the aesthetics of the café than its menu.
the aesthetics of + noun
The new bridge was praised for its bold aesthetics and clean lines.
praised for its aesthetics
Andrés redesigned the garden purely for its visual aesthetics.
Many shoppers judge a phone by its aesthetics before checking the price.
The architect balanced safety with the aesthetics of the glass tower.
文法句型
the aesthetics of + noun
用法筆記
Often takes a singular verb even though the form looks plural. Subject is usually a designed or built object whose look is being judged.
常見錯誤
2. a particular style or set of ideas about what looks good, followed in art, desig
a particular style or set of ideas about what looks good, followed in art, design, or fashion
Roya built her whole brand around a soft, pastel aesthetic.
a + adjective + aesthetic
The film borrows its dark aesthetics from old horror comics.
borrow an aesthetic from + source
Élise dresses in a strict minimalist aesthetic, all black and grey.
The two designers clashed because their aesthetics were so different.
Fans love the band for its retro aesthetic and bright stage lights.
文法句型
a + adjective + aesthetic
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense names a chosen style or taste (you can have 'a minimalist aesthetic'), while sense 1 names the beautiful qualities themselves. Frequently countable and singular here.
3. the area of study, within philosophy, that asks what beauty and art are and how
the area of study, within philosophy, that asks what beauty and art are and how we judge them
Nadia studied aesthetics at university before becoming an art critic.
study aesthetics
Aesthetics asks why one painting moves us and another leaves us cold.
aesthetics + singular verb
Professor Omar teaches aesthetics alongside a course on ancient logic.
The lecture on aesthetics traced how ideas of beauty changed over time.
In aesthetics, students debate whether beauty lies in the object or the viewer.
- art theory
narrower; aesthetics also covers natural beauty, not just art
文法句型
study aesthetics
aesthetics + singular verb
用法筆記
Only sense that names an academic field, like 'economics' or 'ethics'; it is uncountable and takes a singular verb. Common in university and art-theory contexts.