lore

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈlȯr 

1

: a particular body of knowledge or tradition

the lore of baseball heroes

2

: something that is learned:

a

: traditional knowledge or belief

tribal lore

b

: knowledge gained through study or experience

the lore of religious architecture

3

archaic : something that is taught : lesson

lore

2 of 2

noun (2)

: the space between the eye and bill in a bird or the corresponding region in a reptile or fish

—usually used in plural

dark lores

loreal

ˈlȯr-ē-əl 

adjective

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• knowledge
• science
• wisdom

Examples of lore in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the home gardener had acquired her herbal lore from many years of trial and error

set out to study the rich lore of the Cajun people of Louisiana before it all vanished

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Elvis sang in the congregation and, according to lore, often was packed off for revivals and camp meetings. —Lois Armstrong, Peoplemag, 29 May 2024

It was later determined to be the largest cave west of the Mississippi, and according to local lore, once served as a stop on the Underground Railroad and as bandit Jesse James' hideout. —Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2024

In the mid-1990s, Shealy began pursuing skunk ape lore, with dreams of spinning legend into gold. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 May 2024

Part of what distinguished Fury Road from the other franchise films of its era was Miller’s refusal to weigh down the movie with lore. —Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 8 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English lār; akin to Old High German lēra doctrine, Old English leornian to learn

Noun (2)

New Latin lorum, from Latin, thong, rein; akin to Greek eulēra reins

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun (2)

1828, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lore

noun

ˈlō(ə)r,

ˈlȯ(ə)r

: knowledge sense 1

especially : a particular body of knowledge or tradition

forest lore