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

According to Mexican lore about how poinsettias became a Christmas flower, a child named Pepita was too poor to bring a gift to decorate the church for Baby Jesus on Christmas Eve. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2024

His lore has thus expanded in classes and group discussions over the past two years. —Brennan Stewart, Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2024

Her disappearance is one of the most tantalizing mysteries in aviation lore, fascinating historians for decades and spawning books, movies and theories galore. —CBS News, 26 Nov. 2024

Our sandbox here was all the Christmas lore throughout the history of mankind, and beyond that, Lucy Liu’s character, Zoe, is the director of this group called M.O.R.A. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Nov. 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