1 gouge | Definition of gouge

gouge

noun
\ ˈgau̇j How to pronounce gouge (audio) \

Definition of gouge

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a chisel with a concavo-convex cross section
2a : the act of gouging
b : a groove or cavity scooped out
3 : an excessive or improper charge for something : extortion

gouge

verb
gouged; gouging

Definition of gouge (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to scoop out with or as if with a gouge (see gouge entry 1 sense 1)
2a : 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

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Other Words from gouge

Verb

gouger noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for gouge

Synonyms: Verb

overcharge, soak, sting, surcharge

Antonyms: Verb

undercharge

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

No, Ser Gregor doesn’t drop him or perform his famous eye gouge. — James Hibberd, EW.com, "See The Mountain from Game of Thrones lift Ed Sheeran over his head," 13 Aug. 2019 But from the ground, the destruction is clear and unforgiving: A 33-foot wide, 13-foot gouge into the earth that began in the 1940s with an Allied sortie and ended Sunday morning in a massive blast in a barley field in central Germany. — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "Massive blast leaves crater in German barley field," 25 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gouge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of gouge

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for gouge

Noun and Verb

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

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More Definitions for gouge

gouge

noun

English Language Learners Definition of gouge

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a metal tool with a curved, sharp end that is used to cut and shape wood
: a deep cut or hole

gouge

verb

English Language Learners Definition of gouge (Entry 2 of 2)

: to cut a deep hole in (something)
: to make (a deep hole) in something
US, informal : to make (someone) pay too much money for something

gouge

noun
\ ˈgau̇j How to pronounce gouge (audio) \

Kids Definition of gouge

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a chisel with a curved blade for scooping or cutting holes
2 : a hole or groove made by cutting or scraping
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