Definition of GROTESQUE

grotesque

Meanings

Plural: grotesques

Noun

  • art characterized by an incongruous mixture of parts of humans and animals interwoven with plants
  • A style of ornamentation characterized by fanciful combinations of intertwined forms.
  • Anything grotesque.
  • A sans serif typeface.

Adjective Satellite

  • distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
    • "tales of grotesque serpents eight fathoms long that churned the seas"
  • ludicrously odd
    • "a grotesque reflection in the mirror"

Adj

  • Distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal, especially in a hideous way.
  • Disgusting or otherwise viscerally revolting.
  • Sans serif.

Verb

  • To make grotesque.

Origin / 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). Compare French grotesque English grotto.

Scrabble Score: 19

grotesque is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
grotesque is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
grotesque is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 21

grotesque is a valid Words With Friends word