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

• overcharge
• soak
• sting
• surcharge

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

Pygmy marmosets use their teeth to gouge holes in trees that secrete gum, or resin—not to be confused with sap, which runs through a tree’s vascular system. —Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025

All these gems are embedded in a wooden shell made of oak, sculpted with a gouge, just like the artisans who craft the cognac barrels. —Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

Verb

The roof was scorched black and gouged open to the sky, insulation tufting from the walls. —arkansasonline.com, 24 Mar. 2025

Tickets for the shows are hard to come by as the band is using a face-value ticket exchange to prevent scalpers from gouging fans on the secondary market. —Ethan Millman, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 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