# lore

/ˈɫɔɹ/ (US) · /lˈɔː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lore
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. traditional knowledge

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

traditional knowledge, stories, or beliefs about a particular subject that are passed down through time.

For teachers: a body of traditions and knowledge on a subject or held by a particular group, typically transmitted orally.

- The old sailor shared local lore about the mysterious creatures living in the deep sea.
- Local lore suggests that the ruins were once a temple, though archaeological evidence remains inconclusive regarding their original purpose.

### 2. fictional backstory

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

the detailed history and background information of a fictional world, such as in a video game or book series.

For teachers: the collective backstory and world-building elements established for a fictional universe or character.

- I spent all weekend reading the lore of the game to understand why the two kingdoms were at war.
- Fans spent months debating the hidden lore buried in the game's item descriptions, trying to piece together the protagonist's true origins.

### 3. anatomy of animals

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the small area between the eyes and the beak or nose of birds, snakes, and frogs.

For teachers: the space between the eye and the bill in birds, or the corresponding region in reptiles and amphibians.

- The scientist pointed to the bird's lore to show the specific color pattern of that species.
- The presence of distinct scales on the lore is a key diagnostic feature used to differentiate these two species of pit viper.

## Examples

- The game has a deep lore.
- Students study the lore of ancient Greece to understand their myths.
- The rich lore surrounding the castle includes tales of ghosts, hidden treasures, and secret passages.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.