gouge

1 of 2

noun

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

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
Filing the edges of your putty knife can help avoid gouges in your ceiling. Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2024 Inside the Actor’s Real Estate Portfolio By Michelle Duncan Look for any imperfections in the wood, like deep scuffs, nicks, holes, gouges, or scratches. Kenzi Wilbur, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2024
Verb
The price gouging law authorizes the energy commission to set a maximum gross gasoline refining margin and a penalty for refiners that exceed it. Kristin J. Bender, The Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2024 The balloon’s string, still attached to a radio transmitter, had gouged into the bird’s flesh—fracturing bones, killing tissues and cutting off circulation to the bird’s feet. Danielle Beurteaux, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near gouge

Cite this Entry

“Gouge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gouge. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

gouge

1 of 2 noun
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
gouger noun

Medical Definition

gouge

noun
: a chisel with a concavo-convex cross section for removing portions of bone in surgery

More from Merriam-Webster on gouge

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