How to pronounce grotesque
Say it like groh-TESK. Grotesque has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TESK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce grotesque. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- groh
- TESK
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Grotesque pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- grohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- TESKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of grotesque
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: groh-TESK.
What does grotesque mean?
- Distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal, especially in a hideous way.
- Disgusting or otherwise viscerally revolting.
- Sans serif.
- A style of ornamentation characterized by fanciful combinations of intertwined forms.
- Anything grotesque.
- A sans serif typeface.
- To make grotesque.
Where does grotesque come from?
Borrowed from Middle French grotesque, from Italian grottesco, from grotta (“cave”) + -esco (relational suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with grotesque
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of grotesque.
Questions about saying grotesque
How do you pronounce grotesque?
Say groh-TESK. The American pronunciation is /ɡroʊˈtɛsk/. In British English it is /ɡrəʊˈtɛsk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in grotesque?
Grotesque has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TESK). Broken into parts: groh · TESK.
Is grotesque pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ɡrəʊˈtɛsk/ (groh-TESK).