noun
Uncommon
gore
gaw
Gore (noun) means Blood, especially clotted or thickened blood from a wound, or graphic depictions of violence. Example: “The horror film was wall-to-wall gore.”
noun
1
Blood, especially clotted or thickened blood from a wound, or graphic depictions of violence.
"The horror film was wall-to-wall gore."
"There was gore splattered across the crime scene."
"Some viewers switched off because they found the gore in the film too much."
2
A triangular piece of fabric or land, such as a panel sewn into a skirt or sail to add width.
"The seamstress added a gore to the skirt so it would flare at the hem."
"She cut a long gore of cotton to widen the sail."
"Each gore in the umbrella-shaped skirt was stitched to the next one by hand."
verb
1
To wound someone by piercing them with a horn or tusk.
"The matador was gored by the bull during the final pass."
"Farmers are warned that an angry bull can gore anyone who steps into its field."
"The old ram had gored a dog that wandered too close."
How to use gore
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBloody violence (the common modern sense), or — a totally separate old meaning — a wedge-shaped panel of cloth or land.
Common pairings
blood and gore
gored by a bull
gore in a skirt
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Word forms
- Plural
- gores
- Third person singular
- gores
- Past tense
- gored
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The horror film was wall-to-wall _____.
Etymology
From Old English gor ("dung, filth"), which over time narrowed to mean specifically clotted blood; the unrelated "triangular piece" sense comes from a different old word for a wedge- or spear-shaped bit of land or cloth.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for gore
See all rhymes for gore →Frequently asked questions
What does “gore” mean?
The word “gore” means blood, especially clotted or thickened blood from a wound, or graphic depictions of violence. In plain terms, bloody violence (the common modern sense), or — a totally separate old meaning — a wedge-shaped panel of cloth or land.
How do you pronounce “gore”?
“Gore” is pronounced gaw (/ɡoɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gore” in a sentence?
Here is “gore” used in a sentence: “The horror film was wall-to-wall gore.”
What part of speech is “gore”?
Depending on how it is used, “gore” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gore” come from?
The word “gore” comes from Old English.
Is “gore” a common word?
“Gore” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “gore” have?
“Gore” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: blood, especially clotted or thickened blood from a wound, or graphic depictions of violence.
What is the difference between 'gore' and 'blood'?
Blood is the general term for the red fluid in the body, while gore specifically refers to clotted or thickened blood from a wound, or graphic depictions of violence more broadly. Gore carries a stronger, more visceral connotation, often associated with horror films or violent scenes.
What does it mean when an animal 'gores' someone?
As a verb, to gore means to wound someone by piercing them with a horn or tusk, as when a bull gores a matador. This sense describes the act of goring rather than the substance of blood referred to by the noun.
What is a 'gore' in sewing or clothing?
In sewing, a gore is a triangular piece of fabric sewn into a skirt or sail to add width, a completely different sense from the blood-related meaning. This tailoring sense is unrelated to violence and instead describes a shaping technique used to make garments flare out.
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