Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
Intermediate Dictionary
     
Lookup History
grotesque

gro·tesque

grotesque

 
pronunciation:
gro tesk
features:
Word Combinations (adjective), Word History
part of speech: adjective
definition: ugly or badly shaped in character or appearance.
The witch cast a grotesque shadow as she crept up the stairs.
 
synonyms:
distorted, misshapen
similar words:
hideous, ugly, unnatural
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: grotesquely (adv.), grotesqueness (n.)
Word History
Grotesque comes from grotta, an early Italian word for "cave." English speakers first used the word "grotesque" to describe the weird paintings of humans and animals found on the basement walls of Roman ruins.