Gorge

/ɡɔːrdʒ/

nounmediumCommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A narrow valley between hills or mountains, typically with steep rocky walls and a stream running through it.

/ɡɔːrdʒ/

nounneutralmedium
General

A narrow ravine with steep sides.

We hiked through the stunning gorge, marveling at the rock formations.

💡 Simply: Imagine a deep, narrow valley between tall cliffs, like a secret shortcut for a river. It's a gorge!

👶 For kids: A gorge is like a big, deep crack in the ground made by a river!

More Examples

2

The river flowed rapidly through the narrow gorge, creating rapids.

3

The sunlight barely reached the bottom of the deep gorge.

How It's Used

Geography

"The hikers followed the path along the steep gorge."

Geology

"The river carved a deep gorge through the mountains over millions of years."

2

To eat a large amount of food greedily; to stuff oneself.

/ɡɔːrdʒ/

verbnegativemedium
General

To eat a large amount greedily; to stuff oneself.

The children gorged on candy after trick-or-treating.

💡 Simply: Imagine someone at a buffet who's eating so much food, they're practically bursting. That's gorging!

👶 For kids: Gorging is when you eat a whole bunch of yummy food really, really fast!

More Examples

2

The hungry hikers gorged themselves on the food they'd brought.

3

She gorged on sweets after a stressful day.

How It's Used

Informal

"He gorged himself on pizza at the party."

Figurative

"The company gorged itself on profits during the economic boom."

Tip:Visualize *gorging* as the opposite of elegant dining; it's about rapid intake.

Idioms & expressions

gorge oneself

To eat a large amount of food; to overeat.

"He gorged himself on the delicious buffet."

From Old French *gorge* meaning 'throat' or 'gullet', ultimately from Latin *gurges* meaning 'whirlpool' or 'gulf'.

Historically used in literature to describe both geographic features and the act of overeating. Examples can be found in 19th-century novels, often used to add vivid descriptions to scenes.

Memory tip

Think of a *gorge* as a geographical *gash*.

gorggorje

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written