ogre

o-gre · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (folklore) A man-eating giant or monster in myths and fairy tales, typically depicted as large, ugly, and terrifying.

  2. 2.

    (figurative) A cruel, frightening, or intimidating person.

Forms

plural: ogres

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    ogress — A female ogre

Related words

See also: giant, monster, troll
Synonyms: beast, brute, giant, monster

Etymology

From French ogre, first appearing in Charles Perrault's fairy tales (1697). The ultimate origin is uncertain, possibly from Latin Orcus ("god of the underworld") or from a Germanic source.