noun
gestalt
guh-SHTALT
Gestalt (noun) means an organised whole that is perceived as more than simply the sum of its parts. Example: “The individual scenes are ordinary, but the gestalt of the film is unsettling.”
noun
1
An organised whole that is perceived as more than simply the sum of its parts.
"The individual scenes are ordinary, but the gestalt of the film is unsettling."
"Brand identity is a gestalt: logo, tone and service all read as one thing."
adjective
1
Relating to a school of psychology holding that the mind naturally perceives whole patterns rather than isolated elements.
"Gestalt principles explain why we group nearby shapes together."
"She trained as a Gestalt therapist."
How to use gestalt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe overall impression something makes, taken all together.
When to use it
Formal and specialist; common in psychology, design and criticism. Often capitalised when naming the school of thought.
Memory tip
Keep the German sh sound at the start of the second syllable: guh-SHTALT.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
gestalt vs holistic
Common pairings
gestalt principles
gestalt psychology
gestalt therapy
the overall gestalt
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Fill the gap
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The individual scenes are ordinary, but the _____ of the film is unsettling.
Etymology
From German Gestalt 'form, shape, configuration'.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does gestalt mean in simple terms?
It means the whole thing as your mind takes it in at once, rather than the separate bits it is made of. A tune is a gestalt: the same notes played in a different order are not the same tune.
What is the difference between Gestalt psychology and Gestalt therapy?
Gestalt psychology studies how perception organises information into wholes, and gave us principles such as proximity and closure. Gestalt therapy is a form of counselling focused on present awareness and personal responsibility; it borrows the name and some of the outlook, but is a separate practice.
What is the meaning of gestalt?
"gestalt" (noun) means an organised whole that is perceived as more than simply the sum of its parts.
What is another word for gestalt?
Other words for "gestalt" include whole, configuration, totality, pattern.
