Get Enthralled With 11 Enticing -Esque Words

-Esque words

The suffix ‑esque, despite its strange spelling and foreign sound, can be found in many words in English, such as Arabesque, picturesque, Romanesque, and grotesque. These words mean wildly different things, but they all use the ending ‑esque to mean “indicating style, manner, resemblance, or distinctive character.” For example, Romanesque means roughly “Roman-like,” although it is used to specifically describe architecture and art from a particular period in European history.

The ending ‑esque comes from the Italian suffix ‑esco through French. Despite all the extra letters (that’s French for you), the suffix ‑esque is pronounced simply “esk.”

Many words that feature the suffix ‑esque are eponyms, or “a word based on or derived from a person’s name.” One example of an eponym ending in ‑esque is Thatcheresque, meaning “in a manner resembling Margaret Thatcher.” As we will see, you can stick ‑esque to the end of just about anyone’s name. It’s most commonly used to designate a style of art, music, architecture, or other creative pursuit associated with a particular person.

It’s not just people that get this treatment, either; places do, too. If you put ‑esque at the end of a placename, you get a toponym, or “a name derived from the name of the place.” A classic example of this is Hollywoodesque (or Hollywoodish), meaning “of or relating to Hollywood.”

We are going to look at some of the most interesting examples of words in English that end in ‑esque. Perhaps it will inspire you to come up with a neologism (or maybe even a hapax legomenon) of your own.

Kafkaesque

One of the most controversial (or perhaps simply the most commonly misused) words that end in ‑esque is Kafkaesque, “relating to, characteristic of, or resembling the literary work of Franz Kafka; marked by a senseless, disorienting, often menacing complexity.” Franz Kafka was a novelist and short-story writer best known for his novella The Metamorphosis (German: Die Verwandlung) (1915) about a man who wakes up to find he’s been turned into a monstrous insect. That should give you a sense of the kind of situations one could describe as Kafkaesque.

• The Kafkaesque bureaucracy at the university made it difficult to get even the simplest tasks done.
• Sandra was completely baffled by the Kafkaesque situation.

Hemingwayesque

Another writer whose style was so distinctive he got a word all his own was Ernest Hemingway, author of such classics as A Farewell to Arms (1929) and The Old Man and the Sea (1952). Hemingway is known for writing in muscular, straightforward language about themes of war, nature, and loss. These qualities are what the term Hemingwayesque refers to. It can also refer to the man Hemingway himself, as he was quite a swashbuckling character.

• Her shocking debut novel about the war was heralded as Hemingwayesque.
• In a Hemingwayesque fashion, my father traveled all over the world in his youth and had all kinds of adventures.

Dantesque

Kafka and Hemingway are modern authors, but the suffix ‑esque can also be applied to many classic writers, such as one Dante Alighieri, author of the Divine Comedy (Italian: Divina Commedia) (1321). The Divine Comedy is an epic poem that tells of Dante’s journey through the world of the dead. Dantesque, therefore, means “in the style of Dante; characterized by impressive elevation of style with deep solemnity or somberness of feeling.” Typically, Dantesque refers specifically to the chef d’oeuvre, the Divine Comedy.

• We had found ourselves in a Dantesque hell with no clear way out.
• Wandering across the dark, eerie moors with only the light of the moon to guide us felt Dantesque.

Junoesque

The word Junoesque means “(of a woman) stately; regal.” To understand where the word comes from, it helps to know a little bit of Greco-Roman mythology. Juno is “the ancient Roman queen of heaven,” known in Greek mythology as Hera. In other words, someone who is Junoesque is queen-like.

• When the curtain came up, the audience could see the Junoesque figure of the actress standing center stage.
• My grandmother in her fur coat and pearl necklace could only be described as Junoesque.

Would you describe your favorite month as stately? You probably can if it’s the month of June. Find out what makes June so Junoesque in its own way.

Titanesque

The Titans are another set of characters from legend that get used as a reference point. In Greek mythology, the Titans are the sons of Gaia (the Earth) and Uranus (the sky). They are towering, formidable figures which is why Titanesque means “Titanlike; Titanic.” Essentially, Titanesque means “exceptionally large.”

• We watched in complete shock as the Titanesque monster truck crashed at full speed.
• At over six feet tall with broad shoulders, Samuel was a Titanesque gentleman, especially in a suit.

Bunyanesque

Another legendary figure, albeit more modern than Juno or the Titans, who has inspired his own ‑esque word is Paul Bunyan. Paul Bunyan is an American folk hero known for being a (kindly) giant lumberjack. With that in mind, Bunyanesque means “of immense size or stature, as ascribed to Paul Bunyan or to the other characters, exploits, etc., in the legends about him.” In other words, someone larger than life, literally or figuratively, can be described as Bunyanesque.

• The kids looked up to Jeremy as a Bunyanesque hero, especially because he was a full foot taller than them and knew how to catch a fish.
• It’s not required that every defensive end be Bunyanesque to win football games.

churrigueresque

Quite often, the suffix ‑esque is used to describe styles particular to a designer. Such is the case with churrigueresque, meaning “noting or pertaining to the baroque architecture of Spain and its colonies in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, characterized by fantastic and lavish detailing.” The name is a reference to José Churriguera, a baroque architect and sculptor. The Cathedral Basilica of Zacatecas in Mexico is just one example of a churrigueresque building.

• The altarpiece was decorated in a fantastical churrigueresque style, with ornate carvings that seemed almost to move in the flickering candlelight.
• The baroque cathedral with its churrigueresque carvings loomed ominously against the night sky.

Alhambresque

Another decorative style used in architecture and sculpture is known as Alhambresque, “resembling the elaborately fanciful style of ornamentation of the Alhambra in Spain.” The Alhambra is the ornate and beautiful former palace and citadel of the Moorish kings, located in Granada, Spain. The complex is built in a reddish stone and decorated inside with carvings of geometric patterns and plant life.

• This apartment has ornate Alhambresque carvings in the mouldings and over the fireplace.
• Our old brick house glowed in an Alhambresque way when the sun set.

Curious about architecture? Then you should definitely learn the difference between ingress and egress.

Chaplinesque

Writers, designers, and mythological figures are not the only ones who come to be associated with a particular style or character. Movie directors can get a similar treatment. One such famous movie director is Charlie Chaplin, one of the most famous silent film stars and directors of all time. Chaplinesque means “characteristic of or resembling the comedy or filmmaking style of Charlie Chaplin.”

• Ryan wiggled his mustache in a Chaplinesque manner and winked at me.
• I found the student’s black-and-white short film about the market crash quite Chaplinesque.

Capraesque

Another film director who is so famous as to inspire his own eponym is Frank Capra, known for movies like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). Capra’s films were often inspiring and heartwarming, which is why Capraesque means “relating to or in the style of the movies of Frank Capra, focusing on courage and its positive effects and the triumph of the underdog.”

• The politician gave a rousing, Capraesque speech on the floor of the House.
• When the underdog Spartans beat their rivals the Bulldogs 8–2, the local TV news described the upset as Capraesque.

Rubenesque

Great artists, particularly Renaissance Italian painters, can also be used as a sort of shorthand. One example of this is Rubenesque, meaning “of or relating to the painter Peter Paul Rubens or his works, which feature full-figured women.” To describe someone (usually a woman) as Rubenesque, means that they are beautiful and zaftig.

• She couldn’t stop thinking about the gorgeous, Rubenesque brunette she saw on the metro.
• Clara’s Rubenesque figure turned heads wherever she went.