gore: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, literary, or technical (sewing, cartography); the noun (blood) is common in journalistic and genre (horror) contexts.
Quick answer
What does “gore” mean?
Blood shed from a wound, typically in a violent context.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Blood shed from a wound, typically in a violent context; also, to pierce or wound with a horn or tusk.
A triangular or tapered piece of fabric used in sewing (e.g., in skirts, sails, or umbrellas). In cartography and meteorology, a gore is a segment of a curved surface (like a globe) mapped onto a flat surface.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The verb is slightly more frequent in American English in contexts of hunting, rodeo, or bullfighting reports.
Connotations
Strongly negative for the blood/violence sense in both varieties. The sewing sense is neutral.
Frequency
The noun (blood) is more frequent in American media (e.g., horror film ratings, violent news).
Grammar
How to Use “gore” in a Sentence
[subject: animal] gore [object: person/animal][subject: animal] gore [object] to deathbe gored by [animal]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gore” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The escaped bull gored a farmer in the field.
- He was tragically gored by a stag during the hunt.
American English
- The bison gored the tourist who got too close.
- Rodeo riders risk being gored by the bull.
adverb
British English
- N/A (the adverb is 'gorily', e.g., described gorily)
American English
- N/A (the adverb is 'gorily', e.g., depicted gorily)
adjective
British English
- N/A (the adjective is 'gory', e.g., a gory scene)
American English
- N/A (the adjective is 'gory', e.g., gory details)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used, except potentially in specific industries like textile manufacturing.
Academic
Used in literary analysis, film studies, history (describing battles), and technical fields like geography (map gores) or fashion design.
Everyday
Primarily when discussing violent films, news reports of accidents, or sewing projects.
Technical
In sewing: a triangular insert for shaping. In cartography: a segment of a map projection.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gore”
- Using 'gore' as a general verb for cutting (e.g., 'He gored the bread' is wrong).
- Confusing 'gore' (noun/verb) with the adjective 'gory'.
- Using the sewing term 'gore' to refer to any patch, rather than a specific triangular piece.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it has three main meanings: 1) blood from a violent wound (most common), 2) to pierce with a horn/tusk, 3) a triangular piece of fabric in sewing.
No, the adjective form is 'gory' (meaning bloody or involving violence). 'Gore' itself is a noun or verb.
No, they are etymologically distinct. The sewing term comes from Old English 'gāra' (triangular piece of land), while the blood/pierce meaning comes from Old English 'gor' (dirt, filth).
Use it with an animal (usually with horns or tusks) as the subject, and the thing/person being pierced as the object. E.g., 'The rhinoceros gored the vehicle.'
Blood shed from a wound, typically in a violent context.
Gore is usually formal, literary, or technical (sewing, cartography); the noun (blood) is common in journalistic and genre (horror) contexts. in register.
Gore: in British English it is pronounced /ɡɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gore someone's ox (US, informal: to adversely affect someone's interests)”
- “blood and gore”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a T-Rex in a horror film roaring 'GORE!' as it creates bloody scenes; or, a sewing pattern shaped like a spearhead (gore) that 'pierces' the fabric to shape it.
Conceptual Metaphor
VIOLENCE IS A SUBSTANCE (the gore covered the floor); SHAPING IS CUTTING (the gore in the skirt gives it shape).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'gore' LEAST likely to be used?