noun
gouge
GOWJ
Gouge (noun) means a chisel with a curved blade, used to cut grooves or hollows into wood or stone. Example: “He used a gouge to carve the bowl of the wooden spoon.”
noun
1
A chisel with a curved blade, used to cut grooves or hollows into wood or stone.
"He used a gouge to carve the bowl of the wooden spoon."
2
A groove or hole left behind, as if cut by such a tool.
"There was a deep gouge in the table where the moving crew had dropped a box."
verb
1
To dig, scoop, or cut a groove or hole into something.
"The forklift gouged a chunk out of the warehouse wall."
2
To overcharge someone, especially by taking unfair advantage of a situation.
"Some hotels gouge tourists during festival weekends."
How to use gouge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA curved chisel or the groove it makes, or (as a verb) to scoop out a hole, or to badly overcharge someone.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
price gouging
gouge a hole
gouge someone's eyes out
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Word forms
- Plural
- gouges
- Third person singular
- gouges
- Past tense
- gouged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He used a _____ to carve the bowl of the wooden spoon.
Etymology
From Old French gouge, a word for a chisel with a curved blade, traced back to a Gaulish word for "beak" or "point".
Related words
Rhymes for gouge
See all rhymes for gouge →Frequently asked questions
What does “gouge” mean?
The word “gouge” means a chisel with a curved blade, used to cut grooves or hollows into wood or stone. In plain terms, a curved chisel or the groove it makes, or (as a verb) to scoop out a hole, or to badly overcharge someone.
How do you pronounce “gouge”?
“Gouge” is pronounced GOWJ (/ˈɡaʊ̯d͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gouge” in a sentence?
Here is “gouge” used in a sentence: “He used a gouge to carve the bowl of the wooden spoon.”
What part of speech is “gouge”?
Depending on how it is used, “gouge” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gouge” come from?
The word “gouge” comes from Old French. From Old French gouge, a word for a chisel with a curved blade, traced back to a Gaulish word for "beak" or "point".
How many meanings does “gouge” have?
“Gouge” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a chisel with a curved blade, used to cut grooves or hollows into wood or stone.
