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adjective Uncommon

goth

goth

Goth (adjective) means relating to goth music, fashion, or the goth subculture. Example: “She wore heavy black eyeliner and a goth outfit to the club.”

adjective
1
Relating to goth music, fashion, or the goth subculture.
"She wore heavy black eyeliner and a goth outfit to the club."

How to use goth

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes the dark-clothing, dark-music subculture that grew out of post-punk rock.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with the historical Goths, a Germanic people from late antiquity — the subculture just borrowed the name for its dark, romantic image.

Word forms

gother comparative, Goths plural, gothest superlative

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Fill the gap

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She wore heavy black eyeliner and a _____ outfit to the club.

Etymology

Short for "gothic", a term first applied to a dark, moody style of rock music in the late 1970s, itself borrowed from the term for the medieval Gothic period and its brooding fiction.

· First attested 1970

Class of 1970 goth joined the language around 1970.
See the full Class of 1970 →

Rhymes for goth

See all rhymes for goth →

Frequently asked questions

What does “goth” mean?

The word “goth” means relating to goth music, fashion, or the goth subculture. In plain terms, describes the dark-clothing, dark-music subculture that grew out of post-punk rock.

How do you pronounce “goth”?

“Goth” is pronounced goth (/ɡɑθ/ in IPA).

How do you use “goth” in a sentence?

Here is “goth” used in a sentence: “She wore heavy black eyeliner and a goth outfit to the club.”

What part of speech is “goth”?

“Goth” is an adjective.

Where does the word “goth” come from?

The word “goth” dates back to around 1970. Short for "gothic", a term first applied to a dark, moody style of rock music in the late 1970s, itself borrowed from the term for the medieval Gothic period and its brooding fiction.

Is “goth” a common word?

“Goth” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial