noun
Uncommon
mosaic
moh-ZAYK
Mosaic (noun) means a picture or pattern made by fitting together small pieces of colored tile, glass or stone. Example: “The floor of the ancient villa was decorated with an intricate mosaic.”
noun
1
A picture or pattern made by fitting together small pieces of colored tile, glass or stone.
"The floor of the ancient villa was decorated with an intricate mosaic."
"She spent the summer learning to make mosaics from broken pottery."
"The church wall was covered with a glittering mosaic of saints."
2
A varied combination of different elements forming a whole.
"The city is a mosaic of cultures and languages."
"The documentary showed the country as a mosaic of landscapes and traditions."
"Her novel is a mosaic of memories, letters and half-forgotten songs."
verb
1
To decorate or arrange something in the style of a mosaic.
"They mosaicked the garden path with pieces of colored glass."
"The artist plans to mosaic the whole bathroom wall with blue tiles."
"Volunteers are mosaicking the school entrance with shells and pebbles."
How to use mosaic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn image built from many small pieces, or by extension, anything made up of varied parts.
Easily confused with
Mosaic (relating to Moses)
Common pairings
a mosaic of
mosaic tile
mosaic pattern
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Word forms
- Plural
- mosaics
- Third person singular
- mosaics
- Past tense
- mosaicked, mosaiced
Fill the gap
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The floor of the ancient villa was decorated with an intricate _____.
Etymology
From Italian mosaico, from Medieval Latin musaicum, ultimately tied to Greek Mouseion, "shrine of the Muses" — the same root that gives us "museum".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for mosaic
See all rhymes for mosaic →Frequently asked questions
What does “mosaic” mean?
The word “mosaic” means a picture or pattern made by fitting together small pieces of colored tile, glass or stone. In plain terms, an image built from many small pieces, or by extension, anything made up of varied parts.
How do you pronounce “mosaic”?
“Mosaic” is pronounced moh-ZAYK (/moʊˈzeɪ.ɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “mosaic” in a sentence?
Here is “mosaic” used in a sentence: “The floor of the ancient villa was decorated with an intricate mosaic.”
What part of speech is “mosaic”?
Depending on how it is used, “mosaic” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “mosaic” come from?
The word “mosaic” comes from Medieval Latin. From Italian mosaico, from Medieval Latin musaicum, ultimately tied to Greek Mouseion, "shrine of the Muses" — the same root that gives us "museum".
Is “mosaic” a common word?
“Mosaic” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mosaic” have?
“Mosaic” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a picture or pattern made by fitting together small pieces of colored tile, glass or stone.
What is the difference between a mosaic and a collage?
A mosaic is a picture or pattern made by fitting together small pieces of colored tile, glass, or stone, traditionally a durable art form used on floors and walls. A collage is typically made from paper, fabric, or mixed materials glued onto a flat surface and is usually more temporary and less rigid than a mosaic.
What does it mean to call something "a mosaic of" ideas or cultures?
Used figuratively, "a mosaic of" describes a varied combination of different elements forming a whole, such as a mosaic of cultures or opinions. It emphasizes diversity of parts that together create a single coherent picture, much like tiles forming an image.
Can mosaic be used as a verb?
Yes, mosaic can function as a verb meaning to decorate or arrange something in the style of a mosaic, though the noun use is far more common. For example, one might say a surface was "mosaicked" with small tiles.
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