Meaning & use
-esque
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Meaning
suffix
Used after a noun to make an adjective meaning 'in the style of' or 'like' that person or thing.
Grammar: Attaches to nouns, often proper names, to form adjectives: Picasso → Picassoesque.
Patterns
- noun + -esque
- something is [noun]-esque
- a [noun]-esque style
The new building has a very Dalí-esque quality, with melting clocks and strange shapes.
Her writing is often described as Kafkaesque, full of bureaucratic nightmares.
The decor was a bit 1980s-esque, with neon lights and geometric patterns.
Common combinations
- Kafkaesque
- The endless paperwork felt utterly Kafkaesque.
- Picassoesque
- The portrait was almost Picassoesque in its distorted features.
- Dalí-esque
- The melting clock sculpture was very Dalí-esque.
- grotesque
- The mask was grotesque, with bulging eyes and a twisted mouth.
- picturesque
- We stayed in a picturesque village in the mountains.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- grotesque adjective
- Originally meant 'like a cave painting', now means ugly or bizarre.
- picturesque adjective
- Like a picture; charming or scenic.
- statuesque adjective
- Like a statue; tall and graceful.
Commonly confused: -esque or -esque vs -esce?
-esque vs -esque vs -esce
-esque forms adjectives (e.g., Kafkaesque), while -esce is a rare verb suffix (e.g., coalesce).
Practice
Which sentence uses '-esque' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 correctly adds -esque to the proper name Picasso. Option 2 uses -like, which is grammatical but less precise for artistic style. Option 1 lacks a suffix. Option 3 is not a standard form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “-esque”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.