grotesque

Meaning

Adj

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

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) A style of ornamentation characterized by fanciful combinations of intertwined forms.
2. (countable, uncountable) Anything grotesque.
3. (countable, uncountable) A sans serif typeface.

Verb

To make grotesque.

Synonyms

bizarre

fantastic

weird

odd

antic

queer

strange

quaint

monstrous

outlandish

awful

dreadful

eerie

fantastical

freakish

ludicrous

abnormal

terrible

terrifying

dress

👗

unspeakable

creepy

appearance

farcical

fearsome

strange-looking

frightening

god-awful

gory

grisly

gross

gruesome

hideous

horrendous

horrible

incongruous

suspicious-looking

macabre

make up

manner

cartoon

morbid

nondescript

caricatural

grotesque ornament

peculiar

cadging

burlesque

quizzical

rum

Translations

grotesque

grotesco

grottesco

grotesk

grotesk

potsierlijk

grotesco

acayip

grillig

fratzenhaft

αλλόκοτος

onzinnig

grotesc

fantástico

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɡɹəʊˈtɛsk/

Etymology

Cognate with French: grotesque

Cognate with English: grotto

In summary

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.