gorse

noun

: a spiny yellow-flowered European shrub (Ulex europaeus) of the legume family
broadly : any of several related plants (genera Ulex and Genista)
gorsy adjective

Examples of gorse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Meaty and also creamy aromas of leather, gorse, blackberries and prunes. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024 Having narrowly survived sending his tee shot onto the train tracks that run alongside the 488-yard hole, the world No. 33 went from frying pan to fire as his subsequent effort from the rough went careening left into the thick gorse across the other side of the fairway. Jack Bantock, CNN, 19 July 2024 Ample rain in 2024 figured to dole that rough a starring role in this 152nd British Open, which tees off Thursday, especially the savage gorse with its knack for eating your ball and your skin (during retrieval of ball). Chuck Culpepper, Washington Post, 17 July 2024 This 100% Petit Verdot includes gorse and dry earth aromas, as well as black cherries, red fruit and strawberries mid palate. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 Grassy and earth aromas, and flavors include fruit mid palate and some gorse on the finish. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2023 Brisk and seductively elegant aromas of cherries, raspberries, strawberries and slight gorse. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2023 Aromas quite light and festive and include red plums, sage, gorse and eucalyptus. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 31 July 2022 Rich and fresh red fruit aromas—wild strawberries, country lane, some gorse and menthol and melted butter. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 22 May 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gorse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gorst, grost "gorse (Ulex europaeus), similar thorny shrubs, area overgrown with gorse," going back to Old English gorst "gorse, thorny shrub," probably going back to a zero-grade ablaut derivative of Germanic *gerstōn- "barley" — more at orgeat

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gorse was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near gorse

Cite this Entry

“Gorse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gorse. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

gorse

noun
: an evergreen shrub of the legume family that has yellow flowers and leaves reduced to spines

called also furze

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!