gouge

1 of 2

noun

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

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
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.
Noun
But hey, whiskey nerds are gonna whiskey nerd and whiskey sellers are gonna gouge. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2025 While micro-scratches aren’t that big of a deal, micro can turn to macro gouges quickly, threatening the integrity of the entire surface. Staff Author, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
There’s no question Newsom — who had spent months excoriating refiners for gouging consumers on gasoline prices, even calling a special legislative session to impose new regulations — changed his tune after two refineries announced plans to shut down. Dan Walters, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025 Time for the city to stop gouging us and start being more responsible with taxpayer money. U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gouge

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of gouge was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gouge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gouge. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

gouge

1 of 2 noun
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
gouger noun

Medical Definition

gouge

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

More from Merriam-Webster on gouge

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