gothic
/ˈɡɒθɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡɑːθɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgä-thik/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɡɒθ.ɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡɑː.θɪk/ (ame, ipa)
gothic — adjective
- gothicpositive
- more gothiccomparative
- most gothicsuperlative
1. connected with a European architectural type from the 1100s through the 1500s, r
connected with a European architectural type from the 1100s through the 1500s, recognized by its pointed arches, raised stone roofs, and slender vertical supports.
The cathedral's Gothic design includes tall pointed windows that let in lots of light.
collocation: Gothic design / Gothic architecture
Many European cities still have Gothic churches with beautiful stone carvings on the walls.
The tourist admired the Gothic arches of the old university library in Oxford.
Notre-Dame in Paris is one of the most famous Gothic buildings in the world.
The guide explained how Gothic pillars support the weight of the stone roof.
- pointed-arch
describes a specific feature of Gothic buildings rather than the full style
- medieval
broader term covering all of the Middle Ages, not just the architectural style
- Romanesque
the earlier architectural style with rounded arches and thicker walls
- modernist
a 20th-century style with simple lines and no decoration
文法句型
gothic + noun (building, church, cathedral, arch)
用法筆記
Usually appears before a noun that names a type of building or architectural feature (church, cathedral, arch, window, pillar).
常見錯誤
2. describing stories, novels, or movies that create a mood of mystery and fear, of
describing stories, novels, or movies that create a mood of mystery and fear, often set in old castles, dark forests, or ruined buildings with strange or violent events.
The novel has a Gothic atmosphere with its secret passages and ghostly figures appearing at night.
collocation: Gothic atmosphere / Gothic novel
Rashida enjoys reading Gothic romance stories set in old English country houses.
The film uses Gothic imagery like dark storms, an ancient cemetery, and a crumbling mansion.
Many Gothic tales include a mysterious stranger who hides a dark secret from the past.
Teachers often use Gothic literature to discuss fear, madness, and the supernatural in class.
文法句型
gothic + noun (novel, fiction, tale, film, horror)
用法筆記
Describes both the 18th–19th century literary tradition (Walpole, Shelley, Stoker) and modern works that use similar dark settings and suspense.
常見錯誤
3. relating to a modern youth culture whose members typically wear black clothes, p
relating to a modern youth culture whose members typically wear black clothes, pale makeup, and follow rock music with dark or dramatic themes.
Beatriz wore Gothic makeup with dark lipstick and heavy eyeliner to the concert.
collocation: Gothic makeup / Gothic fashion
The Gothic music scene became popular in the United Kingdom during the 1980s.
Leila bought a Gothic dress with lace sleeves and a high collar for the party.
Gothic fashion often includes black boots, silver jewellery, and brightly dyed hair.
The nightclub played Gothic rock music that echoed through the dark room.
文法句型
gothic + noun (fashion, music, makeup, clothing)
用法筆記
Often written without a capital G (gothic) when referring to the music and fashion subculture. Do not confuse with the historical Goths (sense 4).
常見錯誤
4. describing the early Germanic peoples who challenged Roman rule and later create
describing the early Germanic peoples who challenged Roman rule and later created their own states in areas of southern Europe.
The Gothic tribes moved south across Europe during the late Roman period.
collocation: Gothic tribes / Gothic people
Historians study Gothic weapons and tools found at ancient burial sites in Poland.
The Gothic leader ordered his warriors to attack the Roman fort at dawn.
Olu read about Gothic culture in his European history textbook for the exam.
Archaeologists discovered a Gothic settlement near the Danube River last year.
文法句型
gothic + noun (tribe, people, leader, warrior, kingdom)
用法筆記
When referring to the historical people, 'the Goths' (noun) is more common than the adjective form. This sense appears mainly in historical writing.
常見錯誤
5. relating to the extinct East Germanic language that was used by the Goths betwee
relating to the extinct East Germanic language that was used by the Goths between the 4th and 6th centuries and is known mainly from a Bible translation.
The Gothic alphabet was created using Greek and Latin characters by Bishop Ulfilas.
collocation: Gothic alphabet / Gothic language
Linguists study Gothic texts to learn about the early development of Germanic languages.
Only a few Gothic manuscripts have survived from the Middle Ages in Europe.
The professor explained how Gothic words compare to Old English and Old Norse forms.
Students in the linguistics course learn to translate simple Gothic sentences from the Bible.
- East Germanic
the language family branch that Gothic belongs to; broader than just the Gothic language itself
文法句型
gothic + noun (language, alphabet, text, manuscript, word)
用法筆記
Gothic is the earliest Germanic language with substantial written records. It is now extinct and studied only by specialists in historical linguistics.
常見錯誤
gothic — noun
1. a European style of building from the 12th to 16th centuries, known for pointed
a European style of building from the 12th to 16th centuries, known for pointed arches, high vaulted ceilings, and large stained-glass windows.
The students studied Gothic in their art history class last semester.
uncountable style noun
Gothic became popular in northern France before spreading to other parts of Europe.
The church is a perfect example of early Gothic with its simple pointed arches and bare walls.
Visitors come from all over the world to see the Gothic of the old city centre.
The museum has a model showing how Gothic developed from Romanesque architecture.
文法句型
Gothic + verb (developed, spread, became)
early/late/high + Gothic
用法筆記
As an uncountable noun, Gothic refers to the style in general. Use the adjective form before a specific building noun ('a Gothic cathedral').
常見錯誤
2. a category of fiction and movies that rely on dark locations, strange occurrence
a category of fiction and movies that rely on dark locations, strange occurrences, and a scary mood to build suspense and tension.
Yara prefers Gothic to science fiction because she loves a good mystery.
uncountable genre noun
The writer is known for blending Gothic with modern horror in her recent novels.
Gothic was very popular in the 19th century among British and American readers.
The film festival includes a special section on Gothic from around the world.
Kofi wrote his thesis on how Gothic influenced modern horror movies.
文法句型
Gothic + verb (emerged, features, blends)
用法筆記
As an uncountable noun, Gothic refers to the genre as a whole. To refer to a specific work, say 'a Gothic novel' or 'a Gothic film' using the adjective form.
3. the extinct East Germanic language that was spoken by the Goths and is known tod
the extinct East Germanic language that was spoken by the Goths and is known today mainly from a 4th-century translation of the Christian Bible.
Gothic is the earliest Germanic language for which we have written records.
uncountable language noun
The scholar spent years learning Gothic to read the ancient Bible translation.
Only a small number of Gothic words are known to modern researchers today.
The university course offers a basic introduction to Gothic for linguistics students.
Wen compared Gothic verb forms with those of Old English for her research paper.
文法句型
Gothic + verb (is, was spoken, survives)
用法筆記
Gothic is not spoken today. It is studied in historical linguistics for its value as the oldest recorded Germanic language.