gout

American  

[gout] / gaʊt /

noun

1. an acute, recurrent disease characterized by painful inflammation of the joints, chiefly those in the feet and hands, and especially in the great toe, and by an excess of uric acid in the blood.

2. a mass or splash, as of blood; spurt.

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goût ¹ British  

/ ɡu /

noun

1. taste or good taste

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gout ² British  

/ ɡaʊt /

noun

1. a metabolic disease characterized by painful inflammation of certain joints, esp of the big toe and foot, caused by deposits of sodium urate in them

2. archaic a drop or splash, esp of blood

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gout Scientific  

/ gout /

1. An inherited disorder of uric acid metabolism occurring predominantly in men, characterized by painful inflammation of the joints. Elevated levels of uric acid in the blood result in deposition of crystals of uric acid salts (known as urates) around the joints, causing arthritis. The condition can become chronic and result in deformity.

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gout Cultural  

1. A disorder of metabolism characterized by attacks of painful inflammation in the joints, particularly those of the feet and hands. The inflammation is caused by the deposition of crystals of uric acid in the joints. Gout occurs most often in middle-aged men. The tendency toward developing gout is inherited. Stress, fatigue, or excessive exercise are among the factors that can bring on an attack.

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Other Word Forms

• goutily adverb
• goutiness noun
• gouty adjective

Etymology

Origin of gout

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English goute, from Old French, from Latin gutta “a drop (of fluid)”; gout in the feet formerly was attributed to drops of a corrupted humor

Explanation

Gout is a painful illness that causes hot, red, swollen joints. Once known as a disease of the wealthy and gluttonous, gout can be exacerbated by eating rich, fatty foods. Gout sounds like an old-fashioned condition, and it is often associated with famous historical figures who suffered from it, like King Henry VIII and Alexander the Great. However, it's fairly common today, possibly due to high-fat diets and longer life expectancies. The word gout comes from a Latin root gutta, or "drop," from the ancient belief that it was caused by drops of "humors" spilling into the joints from the blood.

Example Sentences

The damp climate and the rigors of life on the march were tough for a man in his 60s who had long suffered from crippling gout and could often barely walk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

The Welshman struggled with gout in his ankle all night in Nottingham, but while his walking was hampered his throw certainly was not.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

Crystalys, which is developing a treatment for gout, found replacements and disclosed a $205 million Series A round in September.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

About 38% aimed to offer health advice, 20% focused on sharing personal experiences with gout, and 19% were designed to promote or sell products.

From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2026

Her question was answered a moment later when a gout of flame shot from the machine, squirting across the river to ignite another patch of flowers.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

Related Words

• appetite
• palate