Grotesqueness

/ɡroʊˈtɛsknəs/ noun

Definition

The quality of being strange, distorted, or unpleasantly weird in appearance.

Etymology

Grotesque plus -ness suffix creating abstract nouns. Derived from Italian 'grottesco' (cave-like), stemming from 'grotta' (grotto), as these strange art forms were found in underground Roman chambers.

Kelly Says

The grotesqueness of something measures how deeply uncomfortable and weird it makes you feel—it's not just ugly, it's the specific kind of unsettling that makes you do a double-take!

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