gorse

noun

ˈgȯrs 

: a spiny yellow-flowered European shrub (Ulex europaeus) of the legume family

broadly : any of several related plants (genera Ulex and Genista)

gorsy

ˈgȯr-sē 

adjective

Examples of gorse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The gorse is reestablishing itself after the blaze that cut it back a few seasons ago. —Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025

There wasn’t an inch of grass or gorse to be seen beyond the wall of people lining the fairways. —Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2025

Dark fresh aromas—both bright and deep—of red plums, orange rind, sultanas, figs, gorse and earth. —Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025

Aromas of morels and truffles, petrol, blackberries and gorse. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for gorse

• bourse
• coarse
• course
• force
• hoarse
• horse
• norse
• source
• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• enforce

Kids Definition

gorse

noun

ˈgȯ(ə)rs 

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

called also furze