Word: gouge (verb, noun)

Associations

The word "gouge" can be both a verb and a noun.

As a verb, it means to make a deep cut or hole in something, often by scraping or digging forcefully.

• Example 1: "He gouged a hole in the wall with a screwdriver." Here, it means making a deep, rough cut.
• Example 2: "The car's tire gouged the pavement." This shows the tire scraping deeply into the road.
• Example 3: "Don't gouge your skin with that knife!" This means to accidentally cut deeply.

As a noun, "gouge" refers to the deep cut or hole itself.

• Example 1: "There was a gouge on the table's surface." The deep scratch or cut.
• Example 2: "The gouge in the wood needed to be filled." The damaged area.

A well-known synonym for the verb "gouge" is "scrape," but "scrape" usually means a lighter, less deep action, while "gouge" suggests a deeper, more forceful cut or hole.

Substitution

Instead of "gouge" (verb), you can use:

• "cut" (more general, can be shallow or deep)
• "scratch" (usually lighter than gouge)
• "dig" (more about making a hole, often in the ground)

Instead of "gouge" (noun), you can use:

• "scratch" (lighter damage)
• "dent" (a pushed-in mark rather than a cut)
• "hole" (if the gouge is very deep)

Deconstruction

The word "gouge" comes from Old French "gouge," meaning a chisel or a tool used for cutting or scooping out wood or stone. It relates to the idea of cutting out or scooping deeply.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you accidentally gouged something, like furniture or a wall?
• How would you describe the difference between a scratch and a gouge on your phone screen?
• If you were a carpenter, why would it be important to avoid gouging the wood?