gouge
gouge Lexical Profile
gouge Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A deep groove, indentation, or hole made by a sharp object or heavy impact.
"The moving men accidentally left a deep gouge in the hardwood floor when they dropped the heavy cabinet."
An excessive or unfair charge or price, often obtained through extortion or manipulation.
"Consumers complained that the sudden surge in the cost of bottled water was an obvious gouge."
A chisel with a concave blade, used for cutting grooves or scooping out material in carpentry, wood-turning, or sculpture.
"The carpenter used a small gouge to carefully carve the intricate details into the wooden panel."
• verb
To cut, scoop, or force out a hole or groove in a surface using a sharp tool.
"The slowly moving glacier began to gouge a massive valley into the mountainside over thousands of years."
To unfairly overcharge someone or extort money from them, especially during a crisis.
"The state government promised to penalize any businesses that attempt to gouge customers buying emergency supplies."
To thrust out or force out someone's eye with a thumb or finger during a violent struggle.
"The referee immediately disqualified the wrestler when he attempted to gouge his opponent's eye."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently used in the phrase 'price gouging,' which refers to the unethical practice of heavily inflating the prices of essential goods during a crisis or state of emergency.
• Rhymes for gouge
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'gouge', via Old French from Late Latin 'gubia' (chisel).