baroque

1 of 2

adjective

ba·​roque bə-ˈrōk 

ba-, 

-ˈräk, 

-ˈrȯk

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

3

of gems : irregularly shaped

a baroque pearl

baroquely adverb

baroque

2 of 2

noun

variants often Baroque

art : the baroque style or the period in which it flourished

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.

Synonyms of baroque

Adjective

• excessive
• extreme
• extravagant
• steep
• insane
• lavish

Examples of baroque in a Sentence

Adjective

a somewhat baroque writing style

a book filled with baroque descriptions

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Or, more to the point, director Grant Gee treats his 102 minutes of baroque ennui as the devil claiming his due. —Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026

The building was designed by Los Angeles architect Harrison Albright, and is celebrated for its Chicago-style facade, Baroque interior and live performance acoustics. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026

Noun

In this baroque sci-fi story set in the future, a homeless man (Rockwell) enters an LA diner armed with what looks like a terrorist bomb strapped to his chest. —Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026

Some reviewers, including Artforum’s, were unimpressed with these layers of baroque exegesis, viewing them as a veneer—edgy but not embedded. —Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French, from Middle French barroque irregularly shaped (of a pearl), from Portuguese barroco irregularly shaped pearl

Noun

noun derivative of baroque entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1734, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1852, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing baroque

• the baroque

Rhymes for baroque

• awoke
• bespoke
• colloque
• convoke
• evoke
• invoke
• keystroke
• kinfolk
• kinsfolk
• menfolk
• provoke
• revoke

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

baroque

adjective

ba·​roque

bə-ˈrōk, 

ba-, 

-ˈräk

: of or relating to a style of art and music common in the 17th century that is marked especially by the use of much fancy decoration

baroque noun