sore

1 of 3

adjective

ˈsȯr 

sorer; sorest

1

a

: causing emotional pain or distress

a sore subject

b

: physically tender (as from overuse or injury) : feeling or affected by pain : achy

sore muscles

limped on a sore leg

felt sore all over

2

: attended by difficulties, hardship, or exertion

3

: angry, irked

a sore loser

soreness noun

sore

2 of 3

noun

1

: a localized sore spot on the body

especially : one (such as an ulcer) with the tissues ruptured or abraded and usually with infection

2

: a source of pain or vexation : affliction

sore

3 of 3

adverb

: sorely

Synonyms of sore

Adjective

• aching
• painful
• hurting

Adverb

• terribly
• extremely
• very
• incredibly
• too
• damn
• badly
• damned
• severely
• so
• really
• highly
• desperately
• seriously
• jolly
• far
• intensely
• super
• greatly
• especially

Examples of sore in a Sentence

Adjective

a dog limping on a sore leg

The patient has a sore throat.

That's a sore subject to bring up.

The discussion touched on a sore spot.

My neighbor is sore at me.

Are you still sore about what happened last night?

Noun

He has a sore on his lip.

Adverb

I was sore afraid we'd never make it home.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Stretching or using a foam roller on sore or tight muscles can apply pressure to the fascia while stretching the limb, Kanjiya says. —Scott Haak, EverydayHealth.com, 6 May 2026

In a steam room, the moist heat will soothe sore muscles and joints and can be useful for conditions like arthritis or muscle stiffness. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 4 May 2026

Noun

There were side effects — most notably a blistering rash that looks like a bad sunburn, sores in the mouth and throat, and vomiting and diarrhea. —Erika Edwards, NBC news, 6 May 2026

This sore may go unnoticed and resolve on its own. —Casey Pinto, The Conversation, 1 May 2026

Adverb

At the same time, hundreds of thousands of businesses face higher business rates — a long-running sore — following a revaluation of the rateable values of all commercial properties in England and Wales. —Ian King, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026

Brother Seth Curry was sidelined to manage sciatica in his left leg and also out were De'Anthony Melton (sore left inner thigh), Moses Moody (sprained right wrist) and Quinten Post (foot soreness). —CBS News, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English sor, from Old English sār; akin to Old High German sēr sore and probably to Old Irish saeth distress

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sore

• canker sore
• cold sore
• saddle sore
• septic sore throat
• sight for sore eyes
• sore loser
• sore throat
• stick/stand out like a sore thumb

Rhymes for sore

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

Kids Definition

sore

1 of 3 adjective

ˈsō(ə)r 

ˈsȯ(ə)r

sorer; sorest

1

a

: causing pain or distress

a sore subject

b

: full of pain : tender

sore muscles

c

: hurt or red and swollen so as to be or seem painful

sore runny eyes

2

: accompanied by difficulties, hardship, or exertion

in a sore situation

3

: angry sense 1a

my friend is sore at me

soreness noun

sore

2 of 3 noun

1

: a sore spot on the body

especially : one (as an ulcer) with the tissues broken and usually infected

2

: a cause of pain : affliction

sore

3 of 3 adverb

: sorely

Medical Definition

sore

1 of 2 adjective

ˈsō(ə)r, ˈsȯ(ə)r 

sorer; sorest

: causing, characterized by, or affected with pain : painful

sore muscles

a sore wound

sorely adverb

soreness noun

sore

2 of 2 noun

: a localized sore spot on the body

especially : one (as an ulcer) with the tissues ruptured or abraded and usually with infection