rococo

American  

[ruh-koh-koh, roh-kuh-koh] / rəˈkoʊ koʊ, ˌroʊ kəˈkoʊ /

noun

1. a style of architecture and decoration, originating in France about 1720, evolved from Baroque types and distinguished by its elegant refinement in using different materials for a delicate overall effect and by its ornament of shellwork, foliage, etc.

2. a homophonic musical style of the middle 18th century, marked by a generally superficial elegance and charm and by the use of elaborate ornamentation and stereotyped devices.

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adjective

1. (initial capital letter)

   1. noting or pertaining to a style of painting developed simultaneously with the rococo in architecture and decoration, characterized chiefly by smallness of scale, delicacy of color, freedom of brushwork, and the selection of playful subjects as thematic material.

   2. designating a corresponding style of sculpture, chiefly characterized by diminutiveness of Baroque forms and playfulness of theme.

2. of, pertaining to, in the manner of, or suggested by rococo architecture, decoration, or music or the general atmosphere and spirit of the rococo.

   rococo charm.

3. ornate or florid in speech, literary style, etc.

rococo British  

/ rəˈkəʊkəʊ /

noun

1. a style of architecture and decoration that originated in France in the early 18th century, characterized by elaborate but graceful, light, ornamentation, often containing asymmetrical motifs

2. an 18th-century style of music characterized by petite prettiness, a decline in the use of counterpoint, and extreme use of ornamentation

3. any florid or excessively ornamental style

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adjective

1. denoting, being in, or relating to the rococo

2. florid or excessively elaborate

rococo Cultural  

1. A style of baroque art and architecture popular in Europe during the eighteenth century, characterized by flowing lines and elaborate decoration.

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Etymology

Origin of rococo

First recorded in 1830–40; from French, akin to rocaille “use of pebbles and shells in ornamental work; pebble-work”; rocaille

Example Sentences

Parliament’s “Mothership Connection,” released 50 years ago this month, was a rococo musical milestone that bridged funk’s hammering, rhythmic pulse and the emerging hip-hop movement in New York and Los Angeles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 29, 2025

Barely recognizable from “Welcome to Flatch” is Holmes as Carmen’s roommate Hailee, a rococo ice cream sundae of a person, talking a mile a minute, sweet and dim; as on “Flatch,” she is quite wonderful.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2025

Savoca contrives a wedding night as filled with rococo confections as the interior of a Palermo church.

From New York Times • Jan. 11, 2024

Bertie’s extant sketches for the wall paneling, ceiling decorations and library shelves in the main rooms are rich in rococo borders and ornament.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 14, 2023

Just ornate lamps and an embroidered sofa and the swarming rococo wallpaper.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

Related Words

• ornate