baroque

/bæˈɹɒk/

Group 13Difficulty 2/3

Definition

(adjective)
Highly ornate and extravagant in style
GRE

Example in Context

The author's baroque prose, laden with subordinate clauses and arcane allusions, rewarded patient readers with extraordinary depth.

Synonyms

ornateelaboratefancy

Etymology

Refers to the extravagant and ornate style, as if too many pearls were thrown together.

  • barroco (Portuguese) — a rough or imperfect pearl

Memory Aid

🎸Sounds like “bar rock

Imagine a rock concert at a BAR so over-the-top that the decor is made of GOLDEN PEARLS — it's BAROQUE!

Visual Association

🎨A lavish palace adorned with intricate gold decorations and extravagant sculptures, bursting with detail.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “baroque” mean on the GRE?

baroque (adjective) means “Highly ornate and extravagant in style”. The author's baroque prose, laden with subordinate clauses and arcane allusions, rewarded patient readers with extraordinary depth.

How to remember “baroque” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “baroque” sounds like “bar rock”. Imagine a rock concert at a BAR so over-the-top that the decor is made of GOLDEN PEARLS — it's BAROQUE!

What are synonyms for “baroque”?

Common synonyms: ornate, elaborate, fancy.