grotesque

¹gro·tesque

noun \grō-ˈtesk\

Definition of GROTESQUE

1

a : a style of decorative art characterized by fanciful or fantastic human and animal forms often interwoven with foliage or similar figures that may distort the natural into absurdity, ugliness, or caricature b : a piece of work in this style

2

: one that is grotesque

3

: sans serif

Examples of GROTESQUE

1. <a gallery of grotesques from some sicko horror movie>

Origin of GROTESQUE

Middle French & Old Italian; Middle French, from Old Italian (pittura) grottesca, literally, cave painting, feminine of grottesco of a cave, from grotta

First Known Use: 1561

Related to GROTESQUE

Synonyms: monster, grotesquerie (also grotesquery), monstrosity, ogre

Related Words: ogress; Frankenstein; bête noire, bogey (also bogie or bogy), bugaboo, bugbear; banshee, bogeyman (also bogyman), demon (or daemon), devil, fiend, fright, imp, incubus; horror, terror; abomination, anathema; abnormality, freak; mutant, mutation

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Rhymes with GROTESQUE

burlesque, moresque