adjective
Uncommon
grotesque
groh-TEHSK
Grotesque (adjective) means Strange, distorted, or unnatural, often in a disturbing or ugly way. Example: “The gargoyles had grotesque, twisted faces.”
adjective
1
Strange, distorted, or unnatural, often in a disturbing or ugly way.
"The gargoyles had grotesque, twisted faces."
"It was a grotesque exaggeration of the truth."
How to use grotesque
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBizarrely distorted or ugly, often to an unsettling or disturbing degree.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
grotesque figure
grotesque distortion
grotesque exaggeration
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Word forms
- Plural
- grotesques
- Third person singular
- grotesques
- Past tense
- grotesqued
- Comparative
- grotesquer, more grotesque
- Superlative
- grotesquest, most grotesque
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The gargoyles had _____, twisted faces.
Etymology
From Italian grottesco, "of a grotto/cave" — originally describing the fantastical, cave-wall style decorations found in ancient Roman ruins.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for grotesque
See all rhymes for grotesque →Frequently asked questions
What does “grotesque” mean?
The word “grotesque” means strange, distorted, or unnatural, often in a disturbing or ugly way. In plain terms, bizarrely distorted or ugly, often to an unsettling or disturbing degree.
How do you pronounce “grotesque”?
“Grotesque” is pronounced groh-TEHSK (/ɡɹoʊˈtɛsk/ in IPA).
How do you use “grotesque” in a sentence?
Here is “grotesque” used in a sentence: “The gargoyles had grotesque, twisted faces.”
What part of speech is “grotesque”?
“Grotesque” is an adjective.
Where does the word “grotesque” come from?
The word “grotesque” comes from Italian. From Italian grottesco, "of a grotto/cave" — originally describing the fantastical, cave-wall style decorations found in ancient Roman ruins.
Is “grotesque” a common word?
“Grotesque” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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