gouge

1 of 2

noun

ˈgau̇j How to pronounce gouge (audio)
Synonyms of gougenext
1
: a chisel with a concavo-convex cross section
2
a
: the act of gouging
b
: a groove or cavity scooped out
3
: an excessive or improper charge for something : extortion

gouge

2 of 2

verb

gouged; gouging

transitive verb

1
: to scoop out with or as if with a gouge (see gouge entry 1 sense 1)
2
a
: to force out (an eye) with the thumb
b
: to thrust the thumb into the eye of
3
: to make (someone) pay too much for something : overcharge
gouger noun

Synonyms

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of gouge in a Sentence

Noun The accident left a big gouge in the side of the car. Verb The lamp fell and gouged the table. A bomb had gouged a large crater in the street. They feel that they are being gouged by the oil companies.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Finding Megalodon teeth with distinct serration gouges from another Megalodon’s bite is incredibly rare. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025 Large dents and gouges can also be difficult to repair. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
For nearly a century, the landscape was gouged by miners, leaving the center of the island a near barren landscape of jagged rocks. — Laura Paddison, CNN, 5 Mar. 2025 California warns more than 200 hotels and landlords of price gouging complaints in wake of fires. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gouge

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English gowge, from Middle French gouge, from Late Latin gulbia

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gouge was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing gouge

Browse Nearby Words

gouge
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Cite this Entry

“Gouge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gouge. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

gouge

1 of 2 noun
ˈgau̇j How to pronounce gouge (audio)
1
: a chisel with a curved blade for scooping or cutting holes
2
: a hole or groove made with or as if with a gouge

gouge

2 of 2 verb
gouged; gouging
1
: to cut holes or grooves in with or as if with a gouge
2
: to force out (an eye) with the thumb
3
: overcharge sense 1
gouger noun

Medical Definition

gouge

noun
ˈgau̇j How to pronounce gouge (audio)
: a chisel with a concavo-convex cross section for removing portions of bone in surgery

More from Merriam-Webster on gouge

Nglish: Translation of gouge for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gouge

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