What does "gash" mean?
A deep cut.
Gash
/ɡæʃ/ adj, name, noun, verb, slang
adj, name, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A deep cut.
- Grammar: gash is listed as adj, name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: cut, slash, slice, abrade.
- Useful contrasts: close, closure, heal.
- Usage evidence: The accident left a long, deep gash in the side of the airplane.
How to use "gash"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "gash" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "gash" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "gash" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "gash" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "gash" is acting as adj, name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "cut" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "gash", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A deep cut. countable, uncountable
"Unwittingly I slashed a gushing gash in my hand with a switchblade."
- 2 Rubbish, particularly on board a ship or aircraft. UK, countable, slang, uncountable
"[…] each man was on 'gash duty' about once in eighteen days."
- 3 a strong sweeping cut made with a sharp instrument wordnet
- 4 A vulva. countable, slang, uncountable, vulgar
"“Oh Gertie it’s true. It’s all true. They’ve got a horrid gash instead of a thrilling thing.”"
- 5 Nonsense. UK, countable, slang, uncountable, vulgar
"I hope you don't mind, but instead of “a load of gash” in this paragraph, could we say, “completely without merit”?"
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 a trench resembling a furrow that was made by erosion or excavation wordnet
- 7 A woman. derogatory, offensive, slang, uncountable
""Will you bastards quit singing the blues? You're young, and there's plenty of gash in the world, and the supply of moon goes on forever," Simonsky said."
- 8 Something low quality. UK, countable, slang, uncountable, vulgar
"This new one he's got for free off a friend (I think), but it's absolute gash. It's huge and doesn't fit in with the deco of the room, but because he's got it for nowt he's not arsed about that."
- 9 a wound made by cutting wordnet
- 10 Unused film or sound during film editing. countable, slang, uncountable
- 11 Poor-quality beer, usually watered down. countable, slang, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To make a deep, long cut; to slash.
"My leg got gashed."
- 2 cut open wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Of poor quality; makeshift; improvised; temporary; substituted. UK, not-comparable, slang, vulgar
- 2 ghastly; hideous Scotland, UK, dialectal
- 3 Spare, extra. UK, dated, not-comparable, slang
""All gash kit? There won't be no trouble with the books?""
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Example
"The accident left a long, deep gash in the side of the airplane."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "gash"?
Common synonyms include: cut, slash, slice, abrade, abrasion, abysm.
How do you use "gash" in a sentence?
The accident left a long, deep gash in the side of the airplane.
How do you pronounce "gash"?
Pronounced /ɡæʃ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Alteration of older garsh, from Middle English garsen, from Old French garser, jarsier (Modern French gercer), from Vulgar Latin *charaxāre, from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr, “engraver”).
Etymology 2
From French gâcher (“to waste, to mess up”) or gâchis (“waste, a mess”), likely borrowed into English by ships' crews in the 19th century. Became increasingly vulgar by association with Etymology 1.
Etymology 3
From ghastful, by association with gash.