gouge

1 of 3

noun (1)

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 3

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

gouger

3 of 3

noun (2)

goug·​er

-jə(r)

plural -s

: one that gouges: such as

a

: a person who uses a gouge in shaping heels or toes of shoes

b

: a person who overcharges or takes unfair advantage of another

rent gougers who objected to urban renewal programs

Synonyms of gouge

Verb

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

Examples of gouge in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Could the growling creature be responsible for the gouges by Zampanò’s dead body? — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 June 2026

Fighters cannot bite, strike the back of their opponent’s head or spine, grab the cage, or gouge eyeballs. — Bhumika Tharoor, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026

Verb

Michigan's attorney general has opened a price gouging investigation into a BP gas station near Detroit Metro Airport that prosecutors say charged travelers significantly more for gas than nearby stations. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 16 June 2026

The true fans now get painted as the ones who can afford to spend four figures on tickets, book a last-minute flight on price-gouging airlines, take time off work, snatch up a downtown hotel for a couple of days and still have money left over for merch and alcohol. — Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 13 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb

Middle English gowge, from Middle French gouge, from Late Latin gulbia

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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