grotesque
|gro-tesque|
🇺🇸
/ɡroʊˈtɛsk/
🇬🇧
/ɡrəʊˈtɛsk/
bizarrely distorted
Etymology
'grotesque' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'grottesco', where 'grotta' meant 'cave' (referring to decorations found in grotto-like ruins).
'grotesque' changed from Italian 'grottesco' into French 'grotesque' and was borrowed into English in the 17th century after the discovery of decorative paintings in the Domus Aurea (a 'grotto').
Initially, it meant 'relating to cave-like ornamentation' or 'ornamental style'; over time it evolved to mean 'bizarrely distorted or ugly', and also 'fantastically strange' in artistic and literary contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a grotesque figure or thing; an object or depiction that is comically or repulsively distorted.
The museum displayed several grotesques from medieval architecture.
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Noun 2
an ornamental style or decorative motif featuring fanciful, interlaced forms (historical/art-historical sense).
The palace ceilings were painted in grotesques inspired by Renaissance designs.
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Adjective 1
comically or repulsively ugly or distorted; so strange or unnatural as to be shocking or bizarre.
The statue's grotesque features frightened the children.
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Adjective 2
exaggeratedly incongruous or fanciful in style (often used of artistic or literary works to mean fantastically strange).
The novel is filled with grotesque characters and improbable events.
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Last updated: 2025/10/17 18:14