ogre

noun

ˈō-gər How to pronounce ogre (audio)
Synonyms of ogrenext
1
: a hideous giant of fairy tales and folklore that feeds on human beings : monster
2
: a dreaded person or object
ogreish
ˈō-g(ə-)rish How to pronounce ogre (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of ogre

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Examples of ogre in a Sentence

The book portrays their father as an ogre who mistreated them. a horror movie filled with ogres and demons of every description
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2015, Klum appeared as Jessica Rabbit; in 2018, as the ogre version of Fiona from Shrek. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026 Of course ogres and adversaries can shift shapes over decades. — Scott Simon, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026 Pay homage to a statue of the Egyptian god Horus, whose headdress recalls Natalie Portman’s Queen Amidala, and a Hopi katsina doll of an ogre with the same beak as Jar Jar Binks. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Ella is a young woman cursed to obey all instructions whose quest for self-determination also turns her into an advocate for the kingdom’s oppressed elves and ogres. — Chris Bellamy, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ogre

Word History

Etymology

French, probably ultimately from Latin Orcus, god of the underworld

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ogre was in 1713

Browse Nearby Words

o-grade
ogre
ogreish
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Cite this Entry

“Ogre.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ogre. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ogre

noun
ˈō-gər How to pronounce ogre (audio)
1
: an ugly giant of fairy tales and folklore that eats people
2
: a dreaded person or object
ogreish
ˈō-g(ə-)rish How to pronounce ogre (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on ogre

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ogre

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