gorse

American  

[gawrs] / gɔrs /

noun

1. any spiny shrub of the genus Ulex, of the legume family, native to the Old World, especially U. europaeus, having rudimentary leaves and yellow flowers and growing in waste places and sandy soil.

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gorse British  

/ ɡɔːs /

noun

1. Also called: furze.   whin.  any evergreen shrub of the leguminous genus Ulex, esp the European species U. europeaus, which has yellow flowers and thick green spines instead of leaves

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Other Word Forms

• gorsy
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of gorse

before 900; Middle English gorst, Old English; akin to German Gerste, Latin hordeum barley

Example Sentences

Mr MacLennan said the "challenging" fire spready quickly through gorse and heather on the steep hillside.

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2025

Meanwhile, in the Scottish Borders firefighters worked overnight on a 600m by 50m section of gorse near the the A70 Tweedsmuir.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2025

Firefighters are also continuing to tackle a gorse fire in Brookeborough, County Fermanagh.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2025

Firefighters are currently tackling a gorse fire in Maghera, County Londonderry.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2025

The airport was unrecognizable from my last visit, completely overgrown with gorse and ivy and huge prehistoric-looking thistles.

From "How I Live Now" by Meg Rosoff

Related Words

• scrub
• thicket