variants
often 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
G. N. Shuster3
of gems
: irregularly shaped
a baroque pearl
baroquely
adverb
Did you know?
Baroque came to English from the French word barroque, 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.
Examples of baroque in a Sentence
Adjective
a somewhat baroque writing style
a book filled with baroque descriptions
Recent Examples on the Web
Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
In the hands of almost any other novelist, this baroque profusion of forms, modes, and registers would achieve nothing more than confusion.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
The Wachau stretches 22 miles along the Danube, threading past castles, vineyards and baroque towns.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for baroque
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Adjective
As a solo artist, Batmanglij writes in a style that is baroque and sophisticated, and lightly warped in a way that recalls both Paul Simon and Radiohead.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
In the hands of almost any other novelist, this baroque profusion of forms, modes, and registers would achieve nothing more than confusion.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
Noun
Vis rewards slow exploration with short walks between coves and villages, Cinque Terre’s coastal paths can be tackled in single-day segments using the Cinque Terre Card, and the Wachau’s 22-mile Danube stretch can be broken into easy day hikes between baroque towns and vineyards.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 11 May 2026
The Wachau stretches 22 miles along the Danube, threading past castles, vineyards and baroque towns.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for baroque
Cite this Entry
“Baroque.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baroque. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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