ogre

[ oh-ger ]

noun

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

ogre

/ ˈəʊɡə /

noun

1. (in folklore) a giant, usually given to eating human flesh
2. any monstrous or cruel person

Derived Forms

• ˈogreish, adjective
• ˈogress, noun:feminine

Other Words From

• o·gre·ish [oh, -ger-ish], o·grish [oh, -grish], adjective
• ogre·ish·ly ogrish·ly adverb
• ogre·ism ogrism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ogre¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ogre¹

C18: from French, perhaps from Latin Orcus god of the infernal regions

Example Sentences

That’s where Harris is right now, which may be the key to her placing the “polarization” ogre in its grave for good.

From Los Angeles Times

Schauffele is not big on excuses, and that much was evident when he shared one of many life lessons from his father, Stefan, the man he affectionately calls “Ogre.”

From Seattle Times

I quickly prayed that my master wouldn’t swindle the ogre and get himself yet another death warrant.

From Literature

I quickly changed my prayer that the ogre wouldn’t remove and eat my master’s eye.

From Literature

The only reason I knew they expected me to eat the pebble-like pellets was the way the big ogre kept pretending to put them into its mouth.

From Literature