chiaroscuro.

An interplay of light and shade that models forms or creates a strong visual contrast.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• dramatic chiaroscuro
• chiaroscuro lighting

On the page

Dramatic chiaroscuro divided the face in the doorway.

Chiaroscuro lighting gave the narrow room an apparent depth it did not possess.

Usage notes

Primary category: sensory / description. Forms: Usually mass noun; plural chiaroscuros for works or effects. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings.