A style of decorative art characterized by fanciful or fantastic human and animal forms often interwoven with foliage or similar figures that may distort the natural into absurdity, ugliness, or caricature.

The cathedral was adorned with grotesques that depicted mythical creatures and distorted human figures.

A very ugly or comically distorted figure, creature, or image.

The artist's latest sculpture was a grotesque that combined elements of both human and animal forms.

grotesqueadjective

Comically or repulsively ugly or distorted.

The artist's grotesque sculptures were both fascinating and unsettling to the viewers.

Incongruous or inappropriate to a shocking degree.

The grotesque mismatch of colors in the outfit made it hard to look at.

Of, relating to, or characterized by fanciful or fantastic forms that distort the natural into caricature, especially in art or architecture.

The building's façade featured grotesque ornamentation around every window.