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collage

/kəˈlɑːʒ/
IELTSAcademic
noun

A collage is a picture made by sticking together pieces of paper, photos, fabric, or other materials. It can also mean an artwork made by combining different images.

  • She made a collage from old magazines.
  • The wall had a collage of family photos.

Adinary Nuance

A collage is not just a collection of things. It is a work made by combining separate pieces into one image or design. Use collage when the pieces are physically or visually joined. Use collection or montage when the items are grouped, but not always stuck together.

In other languages

Vietnamese
tranh ghép
Spanish
collage
Chinese
拼贴画
Japanese
コラージュ
Korean
콜라주

Etymology

The word comes from French collage, from coller meaning “to stick.” It entered English in the early 20th century, first in art.

Common phrases

photo collagepaper collagecollage artmake a collage

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is collage the same as a montage?
Not exactly. A collage is usually made by joining materials or images into one work. A montage is often a film or image sequence.
Can I use collage for a school project?
Yes. Students often make collages from pictures, paper, or printed text.
Is collage a common word in academic English?
Yes, especially in art, design, and visual studies.