1
2
a
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a style of architecture developed in northern France and spreading through western Europe from the middle of the 12th century to the early 16th century that is characterized by the converging of weights and strains at isolated points upon slender vertical piers and counterbalancing buttresses and by pointed arches and vaulting
Gothic cathedrals
b
: of or relating to an architectural style reflecting the influence of the medieval Gothic
3
often not capitalized
: of or relating to a style of fiction characterized by the use of desolate or remote settings and macabre, mysterious, or violent incidents
Gothic novels
1
a
b
2
: Gothic art style or decoration
specifically
: the Gothic architectural style
3
: the East Germanic language of the Goths see Indo-European Languages Table
4
often not capitalized
: a novel, film, or play in the gothic style
Examples of Gothic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Luisa Zargani, WWD, 25 Nov. 2024
The Emmy nominee helmed the first three episodes of the Gothic crime drama, helping establish the visual language of the series, as well as serving as an executive producer.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Maguire’s Elphaba is raised by missionaries in a Southern Gothic childhood right out of Flannery O’Connor.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 20 Nov. 2024
When, after 12-plus hours, officials declared the blaze extinguished, the French Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, dating back some 850 years, was still standing, its famous windows, bell towers, and organ all intact.
—Dana Thomas, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Gothic 
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Noun
This followed a first such project, Palazzo Bottega Veneta, which was inaugurated last June in the Italian lagoon city housed in the 15th-century Gothic Palazzo Soranzo Van Axel, adjacent to the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
—Luisa Zargani, WWD, 25 Nov. 2024
The Emmy nominee helmed the first three episodes of the Gothic crime drama, helping establish the visual language of the series, as well as serving as an executive producer.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Maguire’s Elphaba is raised by missionaries in a Southern Gothic childhood right out of Flannery O’Connor.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 20 Nov. 2024
When, after 12-plus hours, officials declared the blaze extinguished, the French Gothic cathedral on the Île de la Cité, dating back some 850 years, was still standing, its famous windows, bell towers, and organ all intact.
—Dana Thomas, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Gothic
Dictionary Entries Near Gothic
Cite this Entry
“Gothic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Gothic. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
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