# sore

/ˈsɔɹ/ (US) · /sˈɔː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sore
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. physically painful

adjective · CEFR B1

feeling painful or tender, especially because of an injury, infection, or too much exercise.

For teachers: causing physical pain or discomfort; characterized by tenderness or inflammation of a body part.

- My muscles are really sore after going to the gym for the first time in months.
- The patient complained of a sore throat and persistent fatigue, suggesting a viral infection rather than simple seasonal allergies.

### 2. upset or angry

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

feeling angry, annoyed, or upset about something, especially because you feel you were treated unfairly.

For teachers: feeling resentment, animosity, or irritation; often used in the phrase 'sore loser'.

- He is still a bit sore about not getting the promotion he wanted.
- The opposition leader remained sore after the narrow defeat, refusing to congratulate the winner during the televised press conference.

### 3. a skin injury

noun · CEFR B2

a painful, red, or infected place on your skin.

For teachers: a localized area of injured, inflamed, or diseased skin or mucous membrane.

- The hiker had a painful sore on his heel where his boot had rubbed.
- The tropical climate made it difficult for the open sores on his legs to heal properly without specialized antibiotic ointment.

### 4. very much

adverb · CEFR C1 · Archaic · Literary

extremely or very much — used when talking about something bad or difficult.

For teachers: to a great or extreme degree; used as an intensifier for negative states or needs.

- The soldiers were sore afraid as the storm grew louder in the dark forest.
- The kingdom was sore pressed by enemies on all sides, its resources depleted after years of continuous border skirmishes.

## Examples

- My legs are very sore after yesterday's long hike.
- He had a sore throat and a slight fever, so he decided to stay home from work.
- The athlete's muscles remained incredibly sore for several days, a condition often referred to as delayed onset muscle soreness resulting from microscopic tears in the fiber.

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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.