Gothic

noun

1
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 gothic : a novel, film, or play in the gothic style

Examples of Gothic in a Sentence

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.
American Gothic Antiques is the best place to step back in time, with a labyrinth of connected rooms showcasing vintage glassware, books, toys, and artwork. Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026 The model was regionalist Grant Wood, of recent American Gothic (1930) fame, who ran the PWAP in Iowa and painted glossy murals of ruddy farmers and pristine haylofts for Iowa State University. John P. Murphy, ARTnews.com, 5 Apr. 2026 Nordhoff Street from Petit Avenue to Gothic Avenue. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026 In the 1920s and ’30s, American Regionalist painter Grant Wood, best known for his work American Gothic, lived here. Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 17 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Gothic

Word History

Etymology

see Goth entry 1

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Gothic was in 1691

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gothic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Gothic. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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
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