Word
gash
US/ˈɡæʃ/
UK/ɡˈæʃ/
Definitions
01a deep cut
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a long, deep cut in the skin or in the surface of something.
n. a long, deep wound or incision, typically one with ragged edges.
“He had a nasty gash on his leg after falling on the sharp rocks.”
“The collision left a jagged gash in the hull of the ship, allowing water to pour into the lower compartments.”
Synonyms
02rubbish or waste
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun British English · Slang · Technical
n. waste material or rubbish, especially on a ship or in the military.
n. refuse, waste, or rubbish; specifically used in nautical or military contexts to refer to discarded material.
“The sailors were told to clear all the gash from the deck before inspection.”
“In naval terminology, any domestic waste produced on board that is destined for disposal is referred to as gash.”
03poor quality
C2 · Proficiency British English · Slang · Vulgar
adj. something that is very bad, useless, or of low quality.
adj. describing something of inferior quality, useless, or poorly constructed.
“Don't buy that cheap tool; it's absolutely gash and will break immediately.”
“The soldiers complained that the temporary shelters provided were gash and offered no protection from the rain.”
04vulgar term for a woman
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Slang · Vulgar
n. a very rude and offensive word for a woman or a woman's body.
n. a highly derogatory and vulgar slang term for the vulva, or by extension, an offensive objectifying term for a woman.
“He was kicked out of the club for using gash to describe the female staff.”
“The use of the term gash in this context is considered extremely misogynistic and is likely to cause significant offense in any social setting.”
Real-World Examples
“French crew member Martin Jaffre said the whale collision left several gashes in the hull and cracked the fiberglass structure, as well as breaking the steering.” Etymology
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”).
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.
From ghastful, by association with gash.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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