WordGarden.iosore
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈɔː/
US
- /ˈsɔr/
Meanings
Adjective
painful, tender, or aching in the body
angry, upset, or resentful
Noun
a painful or inflamed spot on the body
Beyond the definition
Something that is "sore" usually hurts or feels tender. It can describe muscles aching after exercise, a throat that hurts from a cold, or skin that feels raw after being rubbed too much. Think of a runner who pushes too hard; their legs may feel sore the next day. But "sore" does not always describe physical pain. You can also feel sore about something, which means you still feel hurt or upset about it.
Imagine Old Man Tiberius, known for his grumpy nature. He was still sore about the neighborhood kids playing too loudly near his garden. And after a long day of hauling wood, his back was terribly sore. So, "sore" can describe both a physical feeling and an emotional one.
The word "sore" can describe both physical pain and emotional hurt. Most often, it refers to a part of the body that feels painful, tender, or aching, often because of exercise, injury, sickness, or too much rubbing. You might say, "Her throat was sore from shouting at the concert," or "His muscles were sore after lifting weights." This kind of soreness often gets better with rest and time.
But "sore" is not limited to the body. It can also describe feelings of resentment, hurt pride, or lingering anger. If someone offends you, you might say, "I'm still a little sore about what he said last night." In this sense, the feeling stays around until the problem is talked through or fades with time. A "sore loser," for example, is someone who gets angry or upset after losing.
The word comes from Old English and has long been connected with pain, grief, and suffering. It can also be used as a noun: "a sore" is a painful or damaged place on the body, such as a cold sore or a pressure sore. That use keeps the same basic idea of tenderness, pain, and irritation.
So, whether you are describing tired muscles, a painful spot on the body, or feelings that are still hurt, "sore" points to something sensitive, painful, and not yet fully healed.
Examples
- 1
After activity
My legs were sore after the hike.
- 2
Illness
Her throat was so sore that talking hurt.
- 3
Skin irritation
These new shoes rubbed a sore spot on my heel.
- 4
Hurt feelings
He's still sore about not getting the promotion.
- Patternsore about + issue
still upset or annoyed about it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Sensitive subject
I didn't bring up the old argument because it's a sore point between them.
- Phrasea sore point
a subject that still makes someone upset
- 6
Sportsmanship
Don't be such a sore loser; it's only a game.
- Phrasea sore loser
someone who gets angry or upset after losing
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- sorenounadjectiveadverb
Forms
- sorespluralnounadjectiveadverb
- sorestsuperlativeadjectiveadverbnoun
- sorercomparativeadjectiveadverbnoun