grotesque

German
Persian
Russian
Spanish

An image or situation that's grotesque is very strange and unpleasantly ugly. Think of something that makes people feel uneasy or shocked because it's so unusual.

The word "grotesque" is often used to describe art, architecture, or even performances that are intentionally weird or unconventional. For example, a surrealist painting might be called grotesque because it features unexpected and unsettling combinations of shapes and objects. In literature, an author might create a character who's grotesque in order to make a point about the human condition. A performance artist might also use their body in a way that's considered grotesque to make a statement about society or beauty standards. The key is that "grotesque" doesn't just mean ugly - it means something that challenges our expectations and makes us think.

How common is "grotesque"?

Word grotesque is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions

adjective

  • Distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal, especially in a hideous way.

1 / 3

Real examples of "grotesque" in context

Bowl image

Save 'grotesque' to your personal vocabulary and increase your knowledge with smart tests!