arabesque

1 of 2

noun

ar·​a·​besque ˌa-rə-ˈbesk 

ˌer-ə

1

: an ornament or style that employs flower, foliage, or fruit and sometimes animal and figural outlines to produce an intricate pattern of interlaced lines

2

: a posture (as in ballet) in which the body is bent forward from the hip on one leg with one arm extended forward and the other arm and leg backward

3

: an elaborate or intricate pattern

… richly pierced by an arabesque of wormholes.

—John Chase

an arabesque of vines and leaves

Illustration of arabesque

• arabesque 1

arabesque

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or being in the style of arabesque or an arabesque

arabesque frescoes

Examples of arabesque in a Sentence

Noun

The students practiced their arabesques.

She held her arms in arabesque.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Playful birds, geometric motifs, red hearts and golden arabesques weave together in a dreamlike composition, transforming utilitarian objects into poetic expressions of joy and wonder. —Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Thus Andy Dixon paints Day-Glo takes on Rococo romances, with sculptural nudes draped in loose tunics cavorting around pleasure gardens dotted with classical statuary; these same motifs are distilled into dainty arabesques and diaphanous whorls in the abstract canvases of Michaela Yearwood-Dan. —Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Particularly special is the spa’s 20-meter indoor pool punctuated by eight arabesque marble columns. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2025

The decor is decidedly beachy — twisted abaca chairs, linen cushions and curtains, and arabesque tile floors that immediately cool your feet when coming inside from the nearby beach. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

French, from Italian arabesco Arabian in fashion, from arabo Arab, from Latin Arabus

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1720, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1656, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for arabesque

• picaresque
• romanesque
• statuesque
• burlesque
• grotesque
• carnivalesque
• desk

Kids Definition

arabesque

noun

ar·​a·​besque

ˌar-ə-ˈbesk

: an ornament or style of decoration that uses outlines of flowers, leaves, branches, or fruit and sometimes animal and human figures to produce a pattern of lines that cross over one another

arabesque adjective