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 plural

dark lores

loreal

ˈlȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

Synonyms of lore

Noun (1)

• science
• knowledge

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 family soon moved to a one-bedroom cabin in the nearby town of Locust Ridge, a dwelling that figures proudly in Parton’s rags-to-riches lore. — Jordan Hoffman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026

Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams were among the writers associated with the property, while the tiny Chart Room bar became part of Key West music lore. — Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

His longevity and high motor helped propel the Dolphins to two Super Bowl appearances (Super Bowls XVII and XIX) and three AFC Championship games, cementing his place in franchise lore before his induction into the Dolphins Walk of Fame in 2013. — Cbs News Digital Team, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

For those unfamiliar with the lore, Vine was founded in 2012 as one of the first apps to enable anyone to create and post short videos. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for lore

• boar
• boer
• bore
• chore
• cor
• core
• corps
• crore
• door
• drawer
• floor
• flor

Kids Definition

lore

noun

ˈlō(ə)r, 

ˈlȯ(ə)r

: knowledge sense 1

especially : a particular body of knowledge or tradition

forest lore