noun · academic
appropriation
UK/əˌprəʊpriˈeɪʃən/US/əˌproʊpriˈeɪʃən/ap·pro·PRI·a·tion
the act of taking or using elements from another culture or context, often controversially
Examples
“Debates about cultural appropriation often centre on power and consent.”
“The museum was accused of appropriation for displaying sacred objects without context.”
“Artists may be praised for cross‑cultural dialogue, but appropriation remains a sensitive issue.”
Band 8 sentence
“Critical responses accused the artist of appropriation because motifs from a marginalised community were used without consultation or credit.”
Collocations
- cultural appropriation
- accusations of appropriation
Word family
Common mistakes
He appropriate the design without permission.→He appropriated the design without permission.
This is cultural appreciation, not appropriation.→This is cultural appropriation, not appreciation.
Say it for a higher band
5borrowing→6adoption→7+appropriation
Synonyms
borrowing
Easily confused
borrowing
“The designer's borrowing of traditional motifs sparked little controversy.”
Related words
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In Art & Culture
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