Meaning & use

baroque

adjective·Academic

A highly ornate and elaborate style of European art, architecture, and music popular in the 17th and 18th centuries.

See it in a sentence

The cathedral's baroque ceiling was covered in swirling gold carvings, cherubs, and dramatic painted clouds.

Her prose style is almost baroque, piling clause upon clause until the sentence nearly collapses.

A note on using this word

Capitalized 'Baroque' names the specific historical art period; lowercase 'baroque' describes anything excessively ornate or complicated.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Another way to use it

2. noun

The artistic period itself, roughly 1600 to 1750, known for grandeur, drama, and rich ornamentation.

Bach and Vivaldi are among the most celebrated composers of the Baroque.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “baroque”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.