NYT Dictionary

GOUGE

/ˈɡæʊ̯d͡ʒ/
NounVerbGOUGEgouge · 1 syllableGrade 5

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2022, 2023, 2025

Meaning

Senses relating to cutting tools.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

From Middle English gouge (“chisel with concave blade; gouge”), from Old French gouge, goi (“gouge”), from Late Latin goia, gubia, gulbia (“chisel; piercer”), borrowed from Gaulish *gulbiā, from Proto-Celtic *gulbā, *gulbi, *gulbīnos (“beak, bill”). The English word is cognate with Italian gorbia, gubbia (“ferrule”), Old Breton golb, Old Irish gulba (“beak”), Portuguese goiva, Scottish Gaelic gilb (“chisel”), Spanish gubia (“chisel, gouge”), Welsh gylf (“beak; pointed instrument”), gylyf (“sickle”). The verb is derived from the noun.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

swindleengravegraveincisedefrauddentdingnickextortsqueeze

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

Join the Spelling Bee Community

Get solving strategies, rare word lists, and puzzle tips in your inbox every week.