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

Greenrow Liona Twisted Bar Cart To find that heirloom quality of Victorian design lore, look no further than Greenrow’s Liona bar cart with Barley twist legs to charm you an dyour guests. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2026

Ann’s most burning desire is to see local heroes Joy Division play live at The Russell Club, a place now almost as hallowed as The Cavern Club in Manchester lore. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026

Since 2021, Gurjar, who grew up in Mumbai, has thrown New York Diwali parties that have acquired a certain lore. — Mehr Singh, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026

While the world is privy to the lore of the Lucky Bag, there’s another superstition Woods followed during last year’s playoff season, this one taking place in private. — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 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