1
2
a
: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a style of architecture developed in northern France and spreading through western Europe from the middle of the 12th century to the early 16th century that is characterized by the converging of weights and strains at isolated points upon slender vertical piers and counterbalancing buttresses and by pointed arches and vaulting
Gothic cathedrals
b
: of or relating to an architectural style reflecting the influence of the medieval Gothic
3
often not capitalized
: of or relating to a style of fiction characterized by the use of desolate or remote settings and macabre, mysterious, or violent incidents
Gothic novels
1
a
b
2
: Gothic art style or decoration
specifically
: the Gothic architectural style
3
: the East Germanic language of the Goths see Indo-European Languages Table
4
often not capitalized
: a novel, film, or play in the gothic style
Examples of Gothic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
Though Gothic may have evolved from something heavenly to sinister, its original intentions remain.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2024
The city dates back to the medieval period and boasts two stunning Gothic churches that look dream-like under a blanket of snow.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Sellers and Silberberg achieved a balance for a contemporary home by layering it with antiques exclusively from the Renaissance Revival or Gothic or Medieval periods.
—Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Gothic 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Jacobs-Jenkins—who loves the Gothic, not to mention the slippery business of representing oneself onstage—is clearly having a blast.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024
Though Gothic may have evolved from something heavenly to sinister, its original intentions remain.
—Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2024
The city dates back to the medieval period and boasts two stunning Gothic churches that look dream-like under a blanket of snow.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Sellers and Silberberg achieved a balance for a contemporary home by layering it with antiques exclusively from the Renaissance Revival or Gothic or Medieval periods.
—Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Gothic
Dictionary Entries Near Gothic
Cite this Entry
“Gothic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Gothic. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share