gorse
2 synonyms for gorse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A thorny evergreen shrub of the genus Ulex, with spiny leaves and yellow flowers.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
furze
whin
How to use gorse
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
patch of gorse
gorse bush
flowering gorse
gorse hedge
Gorse is a plain, everyday word used mostly in nature and countryside writing.
Etymology
Gorse comes down through Middle English and Old English from a Proto-West Germanic root, one that is related to the German and Latin words for barley. Some trace it further back to an ancient root meaning to bristle, which fits the plant's thorny look.
Full origin of gorse →Frequently asked questions
What does gorse mean?
Gorse is a spiny evergreen shrub with yellow flowers, belonging to the genus Ulex.
Is gorse the same as furze?
Yes, furze and whin are both traditional names for the same plant as gorse.
Where does the word gorse come from?
It comes from Old English, tracing back to a Germanic root related to the word for barley.
