vignette

[vin-yet]

noun

1. a decorative design or small illustration used on the title page of a book or at the beginning or end of a chapter.

2. an engraving, drawing, photograph, or the like that is shaded off gradually at the edges so as to leave no definite line at the border.

3. a decorative design representing branches, leaves, grapes, or the like, as in a manuscript.

4. any small, pleasing picture or view.

5. a small, graceful literary sketch.

verb (used with object)

vignetted, vignetting 

1. Photography.,  to finish (a picture, photograph, etc.) in the manner of a vignette.

vignette

/ vɪˈnjɛt /

noun

1. a small illustration placed at the beginning or end of a book or chapter

2. a short graceful literary essay or sketch

3. a photograph, drawing, etc, with edges that are shaded off

4. architect a carved ornamentation that has a design based upon tendrils, leaves, etc

5. any small endearing scene, view, picture, etc

verb

1. to finish (a photograph, picture, etc) with a fading border in the form of a vignette

2. 1. to decorate with vignettes

   2. to portray in or as in a vignette

Other Word Forms

• vignettist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vignette¹

1745–55; < French: literally, little vine ( vine, -ette ); so called from vinelike decorations in early books

Word History and Origins

Origin of vignette¹

C18: from French, literally: little vine, from vigne _vine ; with reference to the vine motif frequently used in embellishments to a text

Example Sentences

The mark of any true theme park aficionado is an appreciation of slow-moving, old-school dark rides, attractions that are set in darkened show buildings and often filled with an assortment of vignettes.

From Los Angeles Times

Though the witch hunt never reaches the level of Arthur Miller, Cregger establishes a steady foundation on which he can build suspicion, stacking his interlinked narrative vignettes high into the sky.

From Salon

And in his parents’ home, light falls on a gallery of African vignettes and keepsakes.

From Los Angeles Times

As part of a vanity vignette, Elliott can envision small photos of grandparents in silver frames interspersed with perfume and cologne bottles.

From Los Angeles Times

Niven’s solution was to eschew the “usual boring, chronological history” and structure “Sound N’ Fury” more like a collection of vignettes, all told with his usual dry sense of humor and razor-sharp wit.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• scenario 
• scene 
• sketch 

When To Use

What does vignette mean?

A vignette is a small illustration or design, especially one that appears on a book’s title page or between chapters.This primary meaning of vignette has been extended in several ways, such as to refer to other small illustrations or images done in a similar style, or to brief scenes from literature or other works. Vignette can also be used as a verb, meaning to create such a thing or to do something in the style of a vignette.Example: I love these old books that have lovely vignettes at the beginning of each chapter.