Any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts).

synonyms: new wave, van, vanguard.

Roget 64: precursor, antecedent, precedent, predecessor; forerunner, vancourier^†, avant-coureur [Fr.], pioneer, prodrome^†, prodromos^†, prodromus^†, outrider; leader, bellwether; herald, harbinger; foreboding; dawn; avant-courier, avant-garde, bellmare^†, forelooper^†, foreloper^†, stalking-horse, voorlooper [Afrik.], voortrekker [Afrik.].    prelude, preamble, preface, prologue, foreword, avant-propos [Fr.], protasis^†, proemium^†, prolusion^†, proem, prolepsis [Gramm.], prolegomena, prefix, introduction; heading, frontispiece, groundwork; preparation etc. 673; overture, exordium [Lat.], symphony; premises.    prefigurement etc. 511; omen etc. 512.    ... show more

Dutch: avant-garde, voorhoede
Polish: awangarda

Radically new or original:
— An avant-garde theater piece.

synonym: daring.

Polish: awangardowy