adj C2 Proficient Uncommon

Baroque

buh-ROK

Quiz me More like this

Baroque (adj) means Extravagantly ornate and detailed, especially in art, architecture, or music. Example: “The cathedral's baroque interior was covered in gold leaf and elaborate carvings.”

adj

Extravagantly ornate and detailed, especially in art, architecture, or music.

"The cathedral's baroque interior was covered in gold leaf and elaborate carvings."

"Critics called the script overly baroque, weighed down with needless subplots."

name

The European artistic period (roughly 1600-1750) known for its dramatic, richly decorated style.

"Bach and Vivaldi are among the best-known composers of the Baroque."

How to use Baroque

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHeavily decorated and dramatic — first a European art era, now also used loosely for anything overly ornate or complicated.

Memory tip

Capitalize it (Baroque) when naming the historical art/music period; lowercase (baroque) when just describing something as overly elaborate.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

baroque architecture baroque music a baroque plot

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like Baroque.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: baroques
Comparative: more Baroque, baroquer
Superlative: most Baroque, baroquest

Test yourself on “Baroque” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The cathedral's _____ interior was covered in gold leaf and elaborate carvings.

Etymology

From French baroque, originally describing an irregularly shaped pearl, likely from Portuguese barroco. Over time it came to describe the ornate, dramatic art style of the 1600s and 1700s, and eventually anything excessively elaborate.

Origin: French · First attested 1600

Class of 1600 Baroque joined the language around 1600.

abigail accommodation Amish beau berlin

See the full Class of 1600 →

Synonyms

View more →

churrigueresco churrigueresque baroqueness

Antonyms

plain

Related words

field common beautiful simple normal standard apparently plane

Rhymes for Baroque

rue due sue cue hue blue true flue clue glue imbue pique

See all rhymes for Baroque →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Baroque” mean?

The word “Baroque” means extravagantly ornate and detailed, especially in art, architecture, or music. In plain terms, heavily decorated and dramatic — first a European art era, now also used loosely for anything overly ornate or complicated.

How do you pronounce “Baroque”?

“Baroque” is pronounced buh-ROK (/bəˈɹoʊk/ in IPA).

How do you use “Baroque” in a sentence?

Here is “Baroque” used in a sentence: “The cathedral's baroque interior was covered in gold leaf and elaborate carvings.”

What part of speech is “Baroque”?

Depending on how it is used, “Baroque” can be an adjective and a name.

Where does the word “Baroque” come from?

The word “Baroque” dates back to around 1600 and comes from French.

Is “Baroque” a common word?

“Baroque” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

How many meanings does “Baroque” have?

“Baroque” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extravagantly ornate and detailed, especially in art, architecture, or music.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include Baroque:

Words with French origins

People also searched

field common beautiful simple normal standard apparently plane