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

For King and Country Almost disgustingly rich in lore, Avowed takes place in the high fantasy world of Eora — the same setting as developer Obsidian Entertainment’s Pillars of Eternity games. —Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025

Since then, it’s become a beloved staple of Super Bowl lore, combining the excitement of a championship win with the magic of Disney. —Kate Hogan, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025

While so many Bears fans, for generations and generations, were absorbed in team lore, McCaskey lived it. —Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025

The lore isn’t all that compelling, but their love story is. —Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2025

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