stylistic

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Relating to the way something is done, written, or created, rather than its content.

   Grammar: Usually before a noun; not used with 'very' or in comparisons.

   Patterns

   • stylistic choice
   • stylistic difference

   The two novels have many stylistic differences.

   Her stylistic choices in the painting are bold and modern.

   The editor suggested some stylistic improvements to the article.

2. 2adjectivenot comparable

   Relating to a particular style, especially in art, literature, or music.

   Grammar: Often used to describe features that identify a style.

   Patterns

   • stylistic feature
   • stylistic device

   The composer's stylistic features include unusual rhythms.

   The film is a stylistic masterpiece of the 1960s.

   The poet uses repetition as a stylistic device.

Common combinations

stylistic analysis

The professor gave a stylistic analysis of the poem.

stylistic variation

There is stylistic variation between the author's early and late works.

purely stylistic

The changes were purely stylistic, not about meaning.

Synonyms and how they differ

formal

Relates to the structure or form of something, but often implies following rules rather than personal style.

artistic

Focuses on creative skill and beauty, while stylistic focuses on the manner or technique.

Opposites

Word family

style noun

a particular way of doing, making, or writing something

stylish adjective

fashionable and attractive

stylistically adverb

in a way that relates to style

stylist noun

a person who designs or arranges styles, especially for hair or clothes

Commonly confused: stylistic or stylish?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “stylistic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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