Definition of baroque
1 art : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a style of artistic expression prevalent especially in the 17th century that is marked generally by use of complex forms, bold ornamentation, and the juxtaposition of contrasting elements often conveying a sense of drama, movement, and tension a baroque cathedral baroque music and literature the baroque period
2 : characterized by grotesqueness, extravagance, complexity, or flamboyance a truly baroque act of sabotage — G. N. Shuster
3 of gems : irregularly shaped a baroque pearl
baroquely
adverbFrom the M-W Editors
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Examples of baroque in a Sentence
a somewhat baroque writing style
a book filled with baroque descriptions
Recent Examples of baroque from the Web
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Today’s stunning neo-baroque castle replaced earlier versions that burned down over the centuries.
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As Harry Potter fans know, Luna’s eccentric wardrobe of pink plaid outerwear, stuffed lion headpieces, and baroque Sprectrespec glasses could have easily walked down Alessandro Michele’s runway in 2017.
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The city's historic district is characterized by a baroque street plan of circles and diagonal streets.
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The city’s historic district is characterized by a baroque street plan of circles and diagonal streets.
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Definitely slippers, but the silk jacquard baroque style.
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The president discussed the launch while dining with the Japanese prime minister and his wife and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft on the terrace of his baroque Palm Beach club.
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The baroque exuberance of the Swiss-born Tinguely sets off the cool minimalism of New Yorker LeWitt, who is represented by a wall drawing of a cube that covers a lobby wall.
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This was the record album—the 12-inch, 33 1/3-rpm vinyl disc that, adorned in the increasingly baroque jacketry of the times, turned a black-and-white world into bursting technicolor.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'baroque.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
Baroque came to English from a French word meaning "irregularly shaped." At first, the word in French was used mostly to refer to pearls. Eventually, it came to describe an extravagant style of art characterized by curving lines, gilt, and gold. This type of art, which was prevalent especially in the 17th century, was sometimes considered to be excessively decorated and overly complicated. It makes sense, therefore, that the meaning of the word baroque has broadened to include anything that seems excessively ornate or elaborate.
Origin and Etymology of baroque
French, from Middle French barroque irregularly shaped (of a pearl), from Portuguese barroco irregularly shaped pearl
baroque
Definition of baroque
art : the baroque style or the period in which it flourished
Origin and Etymology of baroque
noun derivative of 1baroque
Other History Terms
BAROQUE Defined for English Language Learners
baroque
playDefinition of baroque for English Language Learners
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: of or relating to a dramatic style of art and music that was common in the 17th and early 18th centuries and that featured many decorative parts and details
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: having many details or too many details
Learn More about baroque
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See words that rhyme with baroque Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for baroque Spanish Central: Translation of baroque Nglish: Translation of baroque for Spanish speakers
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