French word

gorge

Pronunciation

IPA/gɔʁʒ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounthroat

Example

J'ai mal à la gorge.

My throat hurts.

Illustration for gorge (throat)

More examples

Ma gorge est sèche ce matin.

This morning, my throat is dry.

Core concept

A narrow channel enclosed on both sides, whether in the neck or between steep rocks.

Common phrases

  • avoir mal à la gorge

    have a sore throat

  • mal de gorge

    sore throat

  • gorge sèche

    dry throat

Similar words

bouche: The facial opening used to take in food and prepare for speech.
cou: The visible outer part of the body connecting the head and torso.

Definition in French

Région du cou servant de passage pour la déglutition et la voix ; sens secondaire : une gorge au sens géographique, vallée étroite.

Word origin

French gorge comes from Old French gorge, derived from Latin gurges, meaning a whirlpool or deep cavity, and its sense developed toward a throat and a narrow valley.

Usage tips

  • Gorge is feminine, so the usual body-part phrase is "la gorge" and "à la gorge" in expressions such as "avoir mal à la gorge".

Other meanings

  • canyonnoun

Related words

  • gorgéesipnoun
  • engorgerclogverb
  • engorgementblockagenoun

Word lists with this word