Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

fin-de-siècle

Adjective
/fæn də ˈsiːkəl/
Definition
The term ‘fin-de-siècle’ refers to the end of the 19th century, particularly noted for its cultural and artistic developments.
Examples
  • The fin-de-siècle art movement was marked by a break from traditional styles.
  • Many writers of the fin-de-siècle period expressed feelings of uncertainty about the future.
  • He decorated his apartment in a fin-de-siècle style, filled with eccentric and ornate furnishings.
Meaning
Fin-de-siècle is associated with a period characterized by a sense of decline and nostalgia, often reflecting the societal changes and anxieties of the time.
Synonyms
  • end-of-century
  • late 19th century
  • decadent