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 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

Johnson, 39, is the main songwriter and talker of the group, always ready with a thorough answer regarding any bit of Long Beach or Joyce Manor lore. —Brady Gerber, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

Meanwhile, a complimentary audio guide, available in 16 languages, tells the city’s maritime lore—from its Gold Rush boomtown days to modern status. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Fans have wondered how the Boneyard might fit into the new lore established by the show. —Jack King, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2026

Advertisement Internal documents — Whichever way the judge ultimately rules, the case promises to be a bonanza for lovers of drama, intrigue, and OpenAI lore. —Billy Perrigo, Time, 20 Jan. 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