B2 · Upper-Intermediate

Visual & Performing Arts — B2 English Vocabulary

This B2 vocabulary list gathers 50 upper-intermediate English words about visual & performing arts — creativity, performance and aesthetics. Every word comes with its British-English pronunciation and a natural example sentence, so you learn each one in real context. When you are ready, open the flashcards to practise and remember them for good.

  1. choreography/ˌkɒr.iˈɒɡ.rə.fi/

    “The choreography was stunning.”

  2. ballet/ˈbæl.eɪ/

    “She trained in classical ballet.”

  3. opera/ˈɒp.ər.ə/

    “We saw an Italian opera.”

  4. symphony/ˈsɪm.fə.ni/

    “The orchestra played a symphony.”

  5. installation/ˌɪn.stəˈleɪ.ʃən/

    “The gallery showed a video installation.”

  6. sculptor/ˈskʌlp.tə/

    “The sculptor carved a statue.”

  7. palette/ˈpæl.ət/

    “The artist mixed colours on a palette.”

  8. still life/ˌstɪl ˈlaɪf/

    “He painted a still life of fruit.”

  9. composition/ˌkɒm.pəˈzɪʃ.ən/

    “The photo has a balanced composition.”

  10. texture/ˈteks.tʃə/

    “The painting has a rough texture.”

  11. premiere/ˈprem.i.eə/

    “The film had its premiere last night.”

  12. improvisation/ˌɪm.prə.vaɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/

    “Jazz relies on improvisation.”

  13. applause/əˈplɔːz/

    “The applause lasted for minutes.”

  14. backstage/ˌbækˈsteɪdʒ/

    “We went backstage after the show.”

  15. ensemble/ɒnˈsɒm.bəl/

    “The whole ensemble bowed.”

  16. conductor/kənˈdʌk.tə/

    “The conductor raised his baton.”

  17. harmony/ˈhɑː.mə.ni/

    “The singers blended in harmony.”

  18. tempo/ˈtem.pəʊ/

    “The tempo of the song is fast.”

  19. avant-garde/ˌæv.ɒ̃ˈɡɑːd/

    “Her work is avant-garde.”

  20. spectacle/ˈspek.tə.kəl/

    “The show was a great spectacle.”

  21. recital/rɪˈsaɪ.təl/

    “She gave a piano recital.”

  22. aesthetics/esˈθet.ɪks/

    “He studies the aesthetics of design.”

  23. brushstroke/ˈbrʌʃ.strəʊk/

    “Each brushstroke is precise.”

  24. ceramics/səˈræm.ɪks/

    “She makes beautiful ceramics.”

  25. depict/dɪˈpɪkt/

    “Paintings often depict famous battles.”

  26. portray/pɔːˈtreɪ/

    “Great actors portray real emotion.”

  27. muse/mjuːz/

    “She was the painter’s muse.”

  28. cast/kɑːst/

    “The film has a famous cast.”

  29. vibrant/ˈvaɪ.brənt/

    “The mural uses vibrant colours.”

  30. soundtrack/ˈsaʊnd.træk/

    “The film soundtrack is wonderful.”

  31. engraving/ɪnˈɡreɪ.vɪŋ/

    “The engraving shows an old map.”

  32. encore/ˈɒŋ.kɔː/

    “The band played an encore.”

  33. artisan/ˌɑː.tɪˈzæn/

    “The artisan makes pottery by hand.”

  34. props/prɒps/

    “The stage props looked real.”

  35. ornate/ɔːˈneɪt/

    “The picture frame is very ornate.”

  36. soloist/ˈsəʊ.ləʊ.ɪst/

    “The soloist received great applause.”

  37. instrumental/ˌɪn.strəˈmen.təl/

    “The track is purely instrumental.”

  38. minimalist/ˈmɪn.ɪ.məl.ɪst/

    “The room has a minimalist style.”

  39. curate/kjʊəˈreɪt/

    “She helped curate the exhibition.”

  40. mime/maɪm/

    “The performer used mime.”

  41. evocative/ɪˈvɒk.ə.tɪv/

    “The music is deeply evocative.”

  42. choreographer/ˌkɒr.iˈɒɡ.rə.fə/

    “The choreographer designed the moves.”

  43. retrospective/ˌret.rəˈspek.tɪv/

    “The museum held a retrospective.”

  44. fresco/ˈfres.kəʊ/

    “The church has a famous fresco.”

  45. melodic/məˈlɒd.ɪk/

    “The tune is very melodic.”

  46. figurative/ˈfɪɡ.ər.ə.tɪv/

    “He prefers figurative art.”

  47. virtuoso/ˌvɜː.tʃuˈəʊ.səʊ/

    “She is a piano virtuoso.”

  48. patron/ˈpeɪ.trən/

    “A wealthy patron funded the artist.”

  49. mosaic/məˈzeɪ.ɪk/

    “The floor is a Roman mosaic.”

  50. expressive/ɪkˈspres.ɪv/

    “Her dancing is very expressive.”