English Explanatory Dictionary

grotesque

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal, especially in a hideous way.
  2. Disgusting or otherwise viscerally revolting.
  3. Sans serif.
noun
  1. A style of ornamentation characterized by fanciful combinations of intertwined forms.
  2. Anything grotesque.
  3. A sans serif typeface.
verb
  1. To make grotesque.

Pronunciation

/ɡɹəʊˈtɛsk/ /ɡɹoʊˈtɛsk/ en-us-grotesque.ogg en-au-grotesque.ogg

Word forms

grotesque grotesquer more grotesque grotesquest most grotesque grotesques grotesquing grotesqueing grotesqued

Etymology

Etymology tree Ancient Greek κρύπτω (krúptō) Ancient Greek κρυπτή (kruptḗ)bor. Latin crypta Italian grotta Proto-Indo-European *-iskos Proto-Germanic *-iskaz Proto-West Germanic *-iskbor. Vulgar Latin -iscus Italian -esco Italian grottescobor. Middle French grotesquebor. English grotesque Borrowed from Middle French grotesque, from Italian grottesco, from grotta (“cave”) + -esco (relational suffix). By surface analysis, grotto + -esque. Compare French grotesque, English grotto.

Synonyms

gross

Derived words

grody grotesquely grotesqueness grotesquery grotty guro ero-guro ungrotesque
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