Gothic

1 of 2

adjective

Goth·​ic ˈgä-thik 

1

a

: of, relating to, or resembling the Goths, their civilization, or their language

b

: teutonic, germanic

c

: medieval sense 1

d

: uncouth, barbarous

2

a

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a style of architecture developed in northern France and spreading through western Europe from the middle of the 12th century to the early 16th century that is characterized by the converging of weights and strains at isolated points upon slender vertical piers and counterbalancing buttresses and by pointed arches and vaulting

Gothic cathedrals

b

: of or relating to an architectural style reflecting the influence of the medieval Gothic

3

often not capitalized : of or relating to a style of fiction characterized by the use of desolate or remote settings and macabre, mysterious, or violent incidents

Gothic novels

gothically

ˈgä-thi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Gothicness

ˈgä-thik-nəs 

noun

Gothic

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: black letter

b

: sans serif

2

: Gothic art style or decoration

specifically : the Gothic architectural style

3

: the East Germanic language of the Goths see Indo-European Languages Table

4

often not capitalized : a novel, film, or play in the gothic style

Examples of Gothic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Anchoring the Cité, the medieval old town laid over Celtic and Roman settlements, the Gothic Cathedral, for which the master 19th-century French architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc conducted restorations, this year celebrates its 750th anniversary. —John Oseid, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Dubbed the Hume Cloister, the Gothic Revival home spreads out over two-thirds of an acre in Alameda County. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 20 June 2025

Its nose has an ogive shape, like that of a Gothic arch. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 18 June 2025

There’s Gothic and Romantic, which is darker and narrower in design. —Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 13 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see Goth entry 1

Noun

see Goth entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1691, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing Gothic

• Gothic arch
• Gothic Revival
• neo-Gothic
• steamboat Gothic

Rhymes for Gothic

• hypothec

Kids Definition

Gothic

adjective

Goth·​ic

ˈgäth-ik

: relating to or being an old style of architecture (as for churches) having pointed arches, thin tall walls, and large windows