English

Adjective

Lovecraftian ‎(comparative more Lovecraftian, superlative most Lovecraftian)

1. Frighteningly monstrous and otherworldly.
   • 1984 — Dean R. Koontz, Darkfall, p.362

     The tip of the thing was equipped with long whiplike appendages that writhed around a loose, drooling, toothless mouth large enough to swallow a man whole...Perhaps this was the only thing that the escaping Lovecraftian entity had thus far been able to extrude between the opening Gates — this one finger.

2. Of, pertaining to, or emulating the style or works of author H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937).

   Lovecraftian horror, Lovecraftian fiction

   • 2006 — A. Blackwood, August Derleth, The Ithaqua Cycle, page 102

     The present story, "Born of the Winds", is one of the best. For one thing, the vision of the story is pure Lovecraftian cosmic pessimism

Usage notes

The term Lovecraftian is especially used to describe fictional creatures with terrifyingly unnatural anatomy, such as misplaced organs and additional limbs. It may also describe beings with combinations of features from disparate creatures normally shunned, such as combining tentacles, bat-wings, and scales.

Quotations

• 1984 — Dean R. Koontz, Darkfall, p.362

  The tip of the thing was equipped with long whiplike appendages that writhed around a loose, drooling, toothless mouth large enough to swallow a man whole...Perhaps this was the only thing that the escaping Lovecraftian entity had thus far been able to extrude between the opening Gates — this one finger.

• 1997 — B. R. Speer, Introduction to the Myxini, UCMP

  The adjective which best describes the Myxini is "Lovecraftian". Hagfish are long, slender and pinkish, and are best known for the large quantities of sticky slime which they produce. Hagfish have three accessory hearts, no cerebrum or cerebellum, no jaws or stomach, and will "sneeze" when their nostrils clog with their own slime.

• 1998 — Daniel Harms, The Encyclopedia Cthulhiana: A Guide to Lovecraftian Horror
• 2001 — S. T. Joshi, The Modern Weird Tale, p 137

  But even “The Horror from the Bridge” is still set in 1931, as if he were satisfied in merely transplanting the Lovecraftian scenario to another location.

• 2006 — A. Blackwood, August Derleth, The Ithaqua Cycle, page 102

  The present story, "Born of the Winds", is one of the best. For one thing, the vision of the story is pure Lovecraftian cosmic pessimism

See also

• Arkham
• Cthulhu
• Necronomicon

Translations