tableau
1 synonym for tableau, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A vivid, striking scene or picture, especially one made up of a group of people or objects arranged as if for a painting.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
tableau vivant
How to use tableau
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a striking tableau
frozen in a tableau
a tableau of
Etymology
From French tableau, going back to Old French tablel, meaning a flat surface used for painting.
Full origin of tableau →Frequently asked questions
What does “tableau” mean?
The word “tableau” means a vivid, striking scene or picture, especially one made up of a group of people or objects arranged as if for a painting. In plain terms, a frozen, picture-like scene, or more loosely, an arranged display of something.
How do you pronounce “tableau”?
“Tableau” is pronounced TA-bloh (/tæˈbloʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tableau” in a sentence?
Here is “tableau” used in a sentence: “The wedding party froze in a tableau for the photographer.”
What part of speech is “tableau”?
“Tableau” is a noun.
Where does the word “tableau” come from?
The word “tableau” comes from Old French. From French tableau, going back to Old French tablel, meaning a flat surface used for painting.
How many meanings does “tableau” have?
“Tableau” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a vivid, striking scene or picture, especially one made up of a group of people or objects arranged as if for a painting.
