lore

¹ American  

[lawr, lohr] / lɔr, loʊr /

noun

1. the body of knowledge, especially of a traditional, anecdotal, or popular nature, on a particular subject.

   the lore of herbs.

   Synonyms:

   wisdom

2. learning, knowledge, or erudition.

3. Archaic.

   1. the process or act of teaching; instruction.

   2. something that is taught; lesson.

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lore ² American  

[lawr, lohr] / lɔr, loʊr /

noun

Zoology.

1. the space between the eye and the bill of a bird, or a corresponding space in other animals, as snakes.

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lore ¹ British  

/ lɔː /

noun

1. collective knowledge or wisdom on a particular subject, esp of a traditional nature

2. knowledge or learning

3. archaic teaching, or something that is taught

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lore ² British  

/ lɔː /

noun

1. the surface of the head of a bird between the eyes and the base of the bill

2. the corresponding area in a snake or fish

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Synonym Usage

See learning.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• loreless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of lore¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English; Old English lār; cognate with Dutch leer, German Lehre “teaching”; see origin at learn

Origin of lore²

First recorded in 1615–25; from New Latin lōrum, special use of Latin lōrum “thong, strap”

Explanation

Lore is a body of knowledge or tradition that is passed down among members of a culture, usually orally. It's the lore in "folklore," and responsible for spreading the word on mythical figures like Santa Claus, Paul Bunyan, and even Uncle Sam. Most lore begins as an oral tradition, passed on by word of mouth, and only later takes on a written form. We tend to think of lore as something centuries-old, as in the British Arthurian lore surrounding the doings of the mythical King Arthur and his court. However, newer lore — such as baseball lore — is constantly springing up. Humans need and love their lore.

Example Sentences

The lone exception might be Rocco, Zoe’s pet rock, whose complicated relationship with Elmo has become part of children’s television lore.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026

Those familiar with the lore of the “Masters of the Universe” franchise will recognize that the mysterious woman is Adam’s long-lost twin sister, Adora.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

Some matches chosen for attention are conventional, part already of the game’s lore.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

However, much of the Caballero family’s performance lore begins with Isabel’s son, 82-year-old Rubén: an apparatus connoisseur well-versed in the high wire, trapeze and hand balancing.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

These, and bits of local lore recalled from his childhood, he would tell in his soft slurry dialect, and then growing tired would ask me for a story.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Related Words

• adage
• belief
• custom
• fable
• folklore
• knowledge
• legend
• mythology
• superstition
• tale
• tradition