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

Murphy’s recent shows at his legacy home base, FX, have been muddled and baroque, but on ABC, he’s got the goods, as evidenced by the premiere episode of his new show set on a luxury cruise ship. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024

At Saint Laurent, the vibe was opulent, but statement cuffs worn stacked or over sleeves and supersized necklaces in wooden beads, gave it a zen and human touch, as did earrings made with imperfect baroque pearls at Fendi and Schiaparelli. —José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024

Noun

Last July, Lucy Chadwick, the British director of the contemporary art gallery Champ Lacombe in Biarritz, France, bought a cake on the spur of the moment at a local bakery to accompany the opening of her latest exhibition, a group show about the digital-age baroque. —Zoey Poll Katja Mayer, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024

Even the ballet music is a set of arrangements, gently spicing up tunes from the Italian baroque. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 24 July 2023

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