gouges; gouged; gouging
1
a
: to cut a deep hole in (something)
The lamp fell and gouged the table.
b
: to make (a deep hole) in something
A bomb had gouged a large crater in the street.
2
US, informal
: to make (someone) pay too much money for something
They feel that they are being gouged by the oil companies.
The company has been gouging [=overcharging] its customers for years.
They have been accused of price gouging. [=making their customers pay too much money]
plural gouges
1
: a metal tool with a curved, sharp end that is used to cut and shape wood
2
: a deep cut or hole
The accident left a big gouge in the side of the car.
Cite this Entry
“Gouge.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/gouge. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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