lore

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈlȯr 

1

: a particular body of knowledge or tradition

the lore of baseball heroes

2

: something that is learned:

a

: traditional knowledge or belief

tribal lore

b

: knowledge gained through study or experience

the lore of religious architecture

3

archaic : something that is taught : lesson

lore

2 of 2

noun (2)

: the space between the eye and bill in a bird or the corresponding region in a reptile or fish

—usually used in plural

dark lores

loreal

ˈlȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• knowledge
• science
• wisdom

Examples of lore in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the home gardener had acquired her herbal lore from many years of trial and error

set out to study the rich lore of the Cajun people of Louisiana before it all vanished

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The story about Sara de Soto isn’t the only protective piece of lore in Sarasota County, either. —Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 13 Oct. 2024

But the energy fizzles when The Apprentice descends into a supercut of the younger Trump’s lore. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2024

In that game of lore, a sickly Jordan played 44 minutes and finished with 38 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block. —Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 10 Oct. 2024

Over time, stories of jackalope sightings became a playful part of local lore, with tales of their elusive nature, ability to mimic human voices and fondness for whiskey. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English lār; akin to Old High German lēra doctrine, Old English leornian to learn

Noun (2)

New Latin lorum, from Latin, thong, rein; akin to Greek eulēra reins

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun (2)

1828, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lore

noun

ˈlō(ə)r,

ˈlȯ(ə)r

: knowledge sense 1

especially : a particular body of knowledge or tradition

forest lore