# ogre

/ˈoʊɡɝ/ (US) · /ˈəʊɡɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. mythical monster

noun · CEFR B2

a large, ugly, and scary monster in fairy tales that is very strong and often eats people.

For teachers: a large, grotesque, and brutish humanoid monster in folklore, typically characterised by immense strength and a predatory nature.

- In the story, the brave knight had to defeat a giant ogre to save the village.
- The folklore of the region is populated by ogres that dwell in deep caverns, emerging only to terrorise local settlements.

### 2. a cruel person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a person who is very mean, cruel, or frightening to others.

For teachers: a person who is perceived as exceptionally cruel, brutish, or intimidating in their behaviour.

- The children thought their new headmaster was a total ogre because he never smiled.
- Despite his reputation as a corporate ogre, the CEO was known to be quite generous in his private philanthropic efforts.

## Examples

- The brave knight fought the giant ogre.
- In many fairy tales, the hero must outsmart a hungry ogre to escape the dark forest.
- The department head was often described as a corporate ogre, known for his terrifying temper and his habit of dismissing subordinates for the smallest of errors.

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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.