baroque

1 of 2

adjective

ba·​roque bə-ˈrōk 

ba-,

-ˈräk,

-ˈrȯk

often capitalized

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

often capitalized

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

Adjective

• devilish
• excessive
• exorbitant
• extravagant
• extreme
• fancy
• immoderate
• inordinate
• insane
• intolerable
• lavish
• overdue
• overextravagant
• overmuch
• overweening
• plethoric
• steep
• stiff
• towering
• unconscionable
• undue
• unmerciful

Examples of baroque in a Sentence

Adjective

a somewhat baroque writing style

a book filled with baroque descriptions

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Musically, expect the usual mix of pop bops, baroque ballads and club bangers. —Glen Weldon, NPR, 9 May 2024

Wong, 32, was the first baroque artist to receive an Avery Fisher Career Grant in 2020 and Belkovski, 30, became the first early-music specialist to receive New York’s Levinson Arts Achievement Award in 2021. —Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024

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

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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