# Goth

/ˈɡɑθ/ (US) · /ɡˈɒθ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/goth
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. subculture member

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a person who belongs to a group that often wears black clothes, uses dark makeup, and listens to gothic rock music.

For teachers: a member of a subculture that emerged from post-punk, characterized by a dark aesthetic and an interest in mournful or romanticized themes.

- She started dressing as a goth in high school, wearing black lace and heavy eyeliner.
- The local club hosted a night specifically for goths, playing a mix of eighties post-punk and modern darkwave tracks.

### 2. the subculture itself

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

the music and fashion style associated with the goth group.

For teachers: the subculture or musical genre itself, often used uncountably to describe the aesthetic or movement.

- He has been into goth since he first heard bands like The Cure.
- The documentary explores the evolution of goth from its punk roots to its influence on modern high fashion.

### 4. relating to the subculture

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

describing something that belongs to or looks like the goth style.

For teachers: pertaining to the goth subculture, its music, or its characteristic fashion.

- She loves that goth look with the silver jewellery and dark velvet.
- The band's early albums had a very goth sound, featuring heavy basslines and gloomy lyrics.

## Examples

- The goth wore black boots and dark eyeliner.
- She identified as a goth during her teenage years, spending most of her weekends at alternative music clubs.
- While the subculture originated from post-punk music in the early 1980s, the modern goth aesthetic has expanded to include various literary and cinematic influences.

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