adj · noun · verb · 10 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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UK:/ɡɹəʊˈtɛsk/
US:/ɡɹoʊˈtɛsk/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Australia:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɛsk
CMU ARPABET:G R OW0 T EH1 S K
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal, especially in a hideous way.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Disgusting or otherwise viscerally revolting.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: gross
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Sans serif.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: media, publishing, typography
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A style of ornamentation characterized by fanciful combinations of intertwined forms.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
Anything grotesque.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
A sans serif typeface.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Topics: media, publishing, typography
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
verb
Meaning 7
To make grotesque.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
adjective satellite
Meaning 8
distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
tales of grotesque serpents eight fathoms long that churned the seas
twisted into monstrous shapes
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: monstrous
Antonyms: none provided
9
adjective satellite
Meaning 9
ludicrously odd
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
Hamlet's assumed antic disposition
fantastic Halloween costumes
a grotesque reflection in the mirror
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: antic, fantastic, fantastical
Antonyms: none provided
10
noun
Meaning 10
art characterized by an incongruous mixture of parts of humans and animals interwoven with plants
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: art, fine art
History
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.
Across languages
Translations
33 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Amharic:
አስቀያሚ
(ʾäsḳäyami)
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Arabic:
غَرِيب
(ḡarīb)
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Bulgarian:
странен
(stranen)
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Bulgarian:
уродлив
(urodliv)
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Chinese Mandarin:
怪模怪樣 /怪模怪样
(guàimúguàiyàng)
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Crimean Tatar:
acayip
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Danish:
grotesk
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Dutch:
grotesk
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Esperanto:
groteska
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Finnish:
groteski
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Finnish:
irvokas
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
French:
grotesque
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Galician:
grotesco
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
German:
grotesk
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Hebrew:
גרוטסקה
(groteska)
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Hindi:
विकृत
(vikŕt)
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Hindi:
बेडौल
(beḍaul)
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Hindi:
विरूप
(virūp)
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Hindi:
कुरूप
(kurūp)
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Hungarian:
groteszk
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Italian:
grottesco
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Japanese:
グロテスクな
(gurotesuku-na)
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Japanese:
グロな
(guro-na)
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Japanese:
グロい
(guroi)
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Norwegian:
grotesk
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Polish:
groteskowy
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Portuguese:
grotesco
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Romanian:
grotesc
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Russian:
гроте́скный
(grotésknyj)
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Spanish:
grotesco
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Swedish:
grotesk
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Turkish:
grotesk
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
Turkish:
acayip
— distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous
