gouge

1 of 2

noun

ˈgau̇j 

1

: a chisel with a concavo-convex cross section

2

a

: the act of gouging

b

: a groove or cavity scooped out

3

: an excessive or improper charge for something : extortion

gouge

2 of 2

verb

gouged; gouging

transitive verb

1

: to scoop out with or as if with a gouge (see gouge entry 1 sense 1)

2

a

: to force out (an eye) with the thumb

b

: to thrust the thumb into the eye of

3

: to make (someone) pay too much for something : overcharge

gouger noun

Synonyms

Verb

• overcharge
• soak
• sting
• surcharge

Examples of gouge in a Sentence

Noun

The accident left a big gouge in the side of the car.

Verb

The lamp fell and gouged the table.

A bomb had gouged a large crater in the street.

They feel that they are being gouged by the oil companies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The villa was used for both housing and agriculture, and items like axes, gouges, hipposandal to protect horse hooves, coins and slag were found throughout the property, according to the release. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025

De la Torre listened, tracking as the pygmy marmosets made their way from their sleeping tree toward the amber trunk, which was pocked with their gouges and oozing clear resin. —Jessica Camille Aguirre, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Jan. 2025

Verb

The goal of variable pricing isn’t to gouge motorists during busy times, but instead to charge less when demand is low so some spots still get filled and charge more when demand is high so spots don’t get monopolized, officials said. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025

During the assault, Cordova used his hands to try to gouge the carrier’s eyes, officials said. —Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English gowge, from Middle French gouge, from Late Latin gulbia

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gouge

• gouge out

Kids Definition

gouge

1 of 2 noun

ˈgau̇j 

1

: a chisel with a curved blade for scooping or cutting holes

2

: a hole or groove made with or as if with a gouge

gouge

2 of 2 verb

gouged; gouging

1

: to cut holes or grooves in with or as if with a gouge

2

: to force out (an eye) with the thumb

3

: overcharge sense 1

gouger noun

Medical Definition

gouge

noun

ˈgau̇j 

: a chisel with a concavo-convex cross section for removing portions of bone in surgery