Definition of "gouge" in English

noun

1. Senses relating to cutting tools.

2. A cut or groove, as left by a gouge or something sharp.

   • The nail left a deep gouge in the tire.

3. (originally US, colloquial) An act of gouging.

4. (slang) A cheat, a fraud; an imposition.

5. (slang) An impostor.

6. (mining) Soft material lying between the wall of a vein and the solid vein of ore.

7. (US, military, slang, uncountable) Information.

verb

1. (transitive) To make a groove, hole, or mark in by scooping with or as if with a gouge.

   • Japanese and Chinese printers used to gouge characters in wood.

2. (transitive) To cheat or impose upon; in particular, to charge an unfairly or unreasonably high price.

   • The company has no competition, so it tends to gouge its customers.

3. (transitive, intransitive) To dig or scoop (something) out with or as if with a gouge; in particular, to use a thumb to push or try to push the eye (of a person) out of its socket.

4. (intransitive) To use a gouge.