ogre

American  

[oh-ger] / ˈoʊ gər /

noun

ogres plural

1. a monster in fairy tales and popular legend, usually represented as a hideous giant who feeds on human flesh.

2. a monstrously ugly, cruel, or barbarous person.

   Synonyms:

   despot, tyrant, fiend

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ogre British  

/ ˈəʊɡə /

noun

1. (in folklore) a giant, usually given to eating human flesh

2. any monstrous or cruel person

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Usage

What does ogre mean? An ogre is a fictional creature usually represented as a mean, ugly humanlike monster or giant who eats people. Ogres have traditionally appeared in fairy tales and legends, but they’re also depicted in modern media, such as fantasy video games and the series of movies starring the character Shrek, who happens to be a friendly ogre. The word ogre is sometimes used in a figurative way as an insult referring to a person who’s cruel, monstrous, ugly, or brutish—or (especially) a combination of these characteristics, as in The boss at my last job was a complete ogre—he had a terrible temper and delighted in harassing and firing people. Such a person can be described with the adjective ogreish (or ogrish). A female ogre can be called an ogress, but this is not commonly used, especially since the word ogre can be used regardless of gender. Example: At the end of this level, you have to battle a huge ogre who’s trying to eat you alive.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• ogreism
  noun
• ogress
  noun
• ogrism
  noun
• ogreish
  adjective
• ogrish
  adjective
• ogreishly
  adverb
• ogrishly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• ogres
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ogre

1705–15; < French; perhaps ≪ Latin Orcus Orcus

Compare meaning

How does ogre compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• ogre vs. orc

Explanation

An ogre is a big, ugly monster. In many myths and fairytales, ogres are giant, unintelligent, human-like creatures that eat people. However, the ogre Shrek comes off as a right jolly fellow. The grotesque, awkwardly large ogre has been a figure in mythology for many years, a close relation to evil giants and other frightening creatures. In many stories, ogres eat babies, and they're usually quite ugly, with strangely colored skin, large heads, and strong bodies. The word ogre is also sometimes used to describe despicable, evil people. Ogre comes from the French, coined by the French fairy tale writer, Charles Perrault.

Example Sentences

The roommate, Dave Schaller described the client - a large man who he said looked like "an ogre" and drove a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche, a unique vehicle.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

After World War II, Franco was regarded as the “primary resident ogre of Western Europe.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 19, 2025

While stressing that she hasn’t worked so hard in her life, she seems a bit incredulous that Bowman used to be such an ogre on deck.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 17, 2023

She did a lot of creditable things, but to this day she’s seen as a bit of an ogre in Irish history, so this book might give her a fairer hearing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2023

When I was done, my ogre spat at me.

From "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine