gouge

1 of 2

noun

ˈgau̇j 

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

• sting
• overcharge
• cheat
• surcharge
• defraud
• soak

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

Noun

The mile-wide, 550-foot-deep gouge people see today was crafted in roughly 10 seconds when the meteorite, traveling at 26,000 mph, crash-landed in what was then a forest of juniper and piñon pines. —Olivia Rose, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Others had gouge marks consistent with being struck with a cable or a chain. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025

Verb

Last year, Burns attempted to gouge his wife's eye out during an altercation. —Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025

Critics say the city is gouging ordinary residents and tourists to help balance its budget. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025

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

Phrases Containing gouge

• gouge out

Kids Definition

gouge

1 of 2 noun

ˈgau̇j 

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 

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