sore

American  

[sawr, sohr] / sɔr, soʊr /

adjective

sorer, sorest

1. physically painful or sensitive, as a wound, hurt, or diseased part.

   a sore arm.

   Synonyms:

   tender

2. suffering bodily pain from wounds, bruises, etc..

   He is sore because of all that exercise.

3. suffering mental pain; grieved, distressed, or sorrowful.

   to be sore at heart.

   Synonyms:

   vexed, pained, hurt, hurt, aggrieved

4. causing great mental pain, distress, or sorrow.

   a sore bereavement.

   Synonyms:

   grievous, depressing, painful

5. causing very great suffering, misery, hardship, etc..

   sore need.

6. Informal. annoyed; irritated; offended; angered.

   He was sore because he had to wait.

7. causing annoyance or irritation.

   a sore subject.

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noun

1. a sore spot or place on the body.

   Synonyms:

   wound, ulcer, abscess, inflammation

2. a source or cause of grief, distress, irritation, etc.

adverb

1. Archaic. sorely.

sore British  

/ sɔː /

adjective

1. (esp of a wound, injury, etc) painfully sensitive; tender

2. causing annoyance

   a sore point

3. resentful; irked

   he was sore that nobody believed him

4. urgent; pressing

   in sore need

5. (postpositive) grieved; distressed

6. causing grief or sorrow

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noun

1. a painful or sensitive wound, injury, etc

2. any cause of distress or vexation

adverb

1. archaic direly; sorely (now only in such phrases as sore pressed, sore afraid )

sore Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing sore

• sight for sore eyes
• stick out (like a sore thumb)

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Other Word Forms

• soreness noun
• unsore adjective
• unsorely adverb
• unsoreness noun

Etymology

Origin of sore

First recorded before 900; Middle English (adjective, noun, and adverb); Old English sār; cognate with Dutch zeer, German sehr, Old Norse sārr

Example Sentences

She does grow heavy as we climb the hill to our house, but I don’t mind if my arms get sore.

From Literature

Initial symptoms may include fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting and sore throat.

From BBC

The rhythmic movement and sore muscles that come from slowly stirring polenta, the way the earthy, nourishing aroma slowly fills the room as the grains start to thicken.

From Salon

Another sore point for Emery is the failed pursuit of Gallagher after Tottenham hijacked the deal, underlining the financial reality Villa live in.

From BBC

There have long been sore spots between the two neighbours, including historical grievances from Japan's colonial rule and territorial disputes.

From BBC

Related Words

• aching
• bruised
• hurting
• inflamed
• painful
• sharp
• tender
• uncomfortable