gomorrah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowLiterary, Biblical, Historical, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “gomorrah” mean?
A place of extreme wickedness, depravity, and corruption.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A place of extreme wickedness, depravity, and corruption; a byword for sin and vice.
A city, situation, or environment characterized by rampant immorality, licentiousness, or evil.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The figurative application is understood in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes the same biblical and moralistic connotations in both cultures.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech in both regions. Slightly more likely to appear in literary, religious, or historical commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “gomorrah” in a Sentence
[Place/Institution] is a modern Gomorrah.They fled the Gomorrah of [city name].It was Sodom and Gomorrah all over again.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gomorrah” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Gomorrah-like excesses of the capital were shocking.
American English
- He described a Gomorrah-esque scene of debauchery.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Possibly in a hyperbolic, figurative critique of corporate culture: 'The trading floor was a financial Gomorrah.'
Academic
Used in theological, historical, literary, and sociological texts discussing morality, urban decay, or biblical narratives.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used for dramatic, rhetorical effect in conversation or media commentary.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gomorrah”
- Using it as a common noun without the capital 'G' (incorrect: 'a gomorrah'; correct: 'a Gomorrah').
- Using it to describe a person instead of a place (incorrect: 'He is a gomorrah.').
- Misspelling (e.g., Gomorah, Gamorah).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is a proper noun (the name of a biblical city), so it is always capitalised, even in figurative use.
Not standardly, but creative, hyphenated forms like 'Gomorrah-like' or 'Gomorrah-esque' are occasionally seen in literary contexts.
They are almost always paired ('Sodom and Gomorrah') as a fixed phrase for ultimate sin. Used alone, 'Sodom' is slightly more common, especially associated with sexual sin, while 'Gomorrah' is rarer and emphasises general depravity.
Yes, but only in specific contexts (theological, literary, historical, or sociological analysis) where its strong figurative and allusive meaning is precisely intended. It is not suitable for neutral description.
A place of extreme wickedness, depravity, and corruption.
Gomorrah: in British English it is pronounced /ɡəˈmɒr.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡəˈmɔːr.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sodom and Gomorrah (used together as a set phrase for ultimate wickedness)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GO and be MORally WRONG in Gomorrah.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CITY IS A MORAL STATE (A corrupt/wicked city is a Gomorrah).
Practice
Quiz
In modern figurative use, 'a Gomorrah' primarily refers to: