adjective
grotesque
groh-TEHSK
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.
Common pairings
grotesque figure
grotesque distortion
grotesque exaggeration
Word Forms
grotesquer comparative, more grotesque comparative, grotesqued past tense, grotesques plural, grotesques singular, grotesquest superlative, most grotesque superlative
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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.