rococo

1 of 2

noun

ro·​co·​co rə-ˈkō-(ˌ)kō  rō-kə-ˈkō 

: rococo work or style

rococo

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: of or relating to an artistic style especially of the 18th century characterized by fanciful curved asymmetrical forms and elaborate ornamentation

b

: of or relating to an 18th century musical style marked by light gay ornamentation and departure from thorough-bass and polyphony

2

: excessively ornate or intricate

Did you know?

In the 18th century, French artists rebelled against the ponderousness of baroque style and began to create light, delicate interior decorations, furniture, and architectural elements characterized by fanciful, curved, asymmetrical forms and elaborate ornamentation. The name of their new style, rococo, has been traced to the French rocaille, a term that evoked the ornamental use of rock and shell forms. In time, rococo was also applied to similarly ornamented and intimate styles of painting and music. But all fashions fade, and by the mid-1800s the rococo style was deemed excessively ornate and out-of-date. Now rococo is often used with mild disdain to describe the overly elaborate.

Examples of rococo in a Sentence

Adjective

The chairs are carved in a rococo style.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Its two exceptional suites go full rococo with ornamentation from an earlier lavish era. —Laura Manske, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023

The show features pieces produced on the island by painters including rococo artist José Campeche and Impressionist Francisco Oller. —Samantha Nelson, Chicago Tribune, 23 Dec. 2022

Adjective

To become Edna, Humphries would put on a mauve wig, an increasingly rococo pair of eyeglasses and a glittering gown that screeched conspicuous consumption. —Ben Brantley, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2023

After announcing a years-long renovation in 2017, Park Avenue’s landmark venue will be selling classical baroque and rococo French furniture from the Windsor Suite, the Cole Porter Suite, the Winston Churchill Suite, and the Marilyn Monroe suite, among others. —Hannah Elliott, Bloomberg.com, 13 Oct. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French, irregular from rocaille rocaille

First Known Use

Noun

1835, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

rococo

adjective

ro·​co·​co

rə-ˈkō-kō,

rō-kə-ˈkō

: of or relating to a style of artistic expression common in the 18th century marked by fancy curved forms and much ornament

rococo noun