WordValebaroque
an ornate, dramatic style of 17th-century art and music
In more detail
1. (adjective) relating to a highly decorative style of art, architecture, and music from the 17th and early 18th centuries, with elaborate and ornate designs
2. (adjective) very ornate, complicated, or full of detail in a way that seems excessive or confusing
Examples
- 1. The baroque church was decorated with gold leaf and intricate sculptures.
- 2. The plot of the novel is so baroque that it's hard to follow.
How to use baroque
Baroque primarily refers to the historical artistic and musical period (17th-early 18th century), but it has extended metaphorically to describe anything overly ornate, elaborate, or intricate in a way that may seem excessive. When used beyond its historical context, it carries a slightly critical or literary tone, suggesting complexity that borders on confusion or poor taste.
Common phrases
- baroque architecture
- baroque music
- baroque period
- baroque style
- baroque ornamentation
- baroque complexity
Synonyms
ornate · elaborate · extravagant · florid · rococo
Opposites
simple · plain · minimalist
Word family
baroquely (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners often use baroque only in historical contexts and miss its modern metaphorical application to describe anything excessively ornate or convoluted; also, some confuse it with rococo, though rococo came later and was less dramatic.
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