Definition

Adjective: - In the manner or style of Rudyard Kipling: Describing something that resembles or is characteristic of the works, themes, or literary style of the British author Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936). This often implies a focus on British colonialism, adventure, exotic settings, a narrative style that blends realism with moral fables, and the use of robust, rhythmic language.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The novel's kiplingesque tales of soldiers in India captured the era's complex imperial attitudes.
  • His kiplingesque verse, with its strong meter and themes of duty, became very popular.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in literary criticism to categorize works that evoke Kipling's distinctive approach to storytelling and his particular worldview.
  • The film's portrayal of the frontier had a distinctly kiplingesque feel, celebrating courage while glossing over colonial conflicts.

Variants and Related Words

• Kiplingian (adj): A less common synonym with the same meaning.
  • The scholar wrote about the Kiplingian motifs in early 20th-century literature.

Synonyms

• In the style of Kipling
• Kiplingian

Notes on Meaning

• The word is a proper adjective derived from a personal name (Rudyard Kipling). It is always capitalized in formal writing.
• It specifically refers to the artistic style and thematic concerns of one author, making it a precise, niche term rather than a general descriptor.

Adjective

1. in the manner of Rudyard Kipling