Etymology From gothic rock, first used by John Stickney in reference to The Doors in 1967 and used by the late 1970s to describe the musical scene that gave rise to the goth subculture, both from a supposed aesthetic similarity to dark and moody 19th century gothic fiction and earlier gothic art and architecture, from Late Latin gothicus (“Gothic, barbaric”), from Ancient Greek Γοτθικός (Gotthikós), from Ancient Greek Γότθοι (Gótthoi, “Goths”) + -ικός (-ikós, “-ic”), proposed to derive from unattested Gothic *𐌲𐌿𐍄𐌰 (*guta).
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A punk-derived subculture of people who predominantly dress in black, associated with mournful music and attitudes.
I think that goth could flower in nerdcore's embrace. I converted Edward Gorey's lettering into a typeface, befriended vampires on LJ and MySpace, even put that spooky echo filter on the bass[…]2005, “Goth Girls”, in MC Frontalot (music), Nerdcore Rising:
Philip has been into goth for many years, haven't you dear?
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Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music A style of punk rock influenced by glam rock; gothic rock.
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A person who is part of the goth subculture.
And how come you never see goths driving cars? We drive cars... We're just like you really, except that we listen to Cradle of Filth.2006 Feb. 17, Graham Linehan, The IT Crowd, Season 1, Episode 4
We saw a solitary goth hanging out on a ledge by the train station.
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UK, Slang A member of an alternative subculture based around rock music.
Goth bashing became horribly fashionable in the noughties. In August 2007, another peaceful goth couple were attacked in a skate park because of the way they looked.2010 April 26, Garry Bushell, Hoolies: True Stories of Britain's Biggest Street Battles, Kings Road Publishing, →ISBN:
At Madras we arriv’d in the height of confuſion, / A ſcene all occaſion’d by Hyder’s intruſion; / A goth-like invader! who doth us all keep / Penn’d up in a fort, like a ſcar’d flock of ſheep; […]1786 April, “Account of the India Guide: or, A Journal of a Voyage to the East-Indies in the Year 1780. In a Poetical Epistle to her Mother. By Miss Emily Brittle. Printed at Calcutta in 1785.”, in Walker’s Hibernian Magazine: or, Compendium of Entertaining Knowledge, […], Dublin: […] Thomas Walker […], page 192, column 2:
By much, they are a horde of all nations, a goth-like banditti, savage and wild, whose numbers bid defiance to all around; […]1809, an Englishman [pseudonym; Thomas Wilson], The Fortunate Departure; an Historical Account Dramatised, as Best Suited to Convey an Idea of the Horrid Excesses Committed by the French Army, on Their Irruption into Portugal; and the Fortunate Departure of the Prince Regent and Family, on the Eve of Their Entrance into Lisbon. […], London: […] Sherwood, Neely and Jones, […]; and J. Asperne, […], act III, scene i, page 41:
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In 1843, in the course of agricultural improvements, Mr. Byrse committed a very goth-like deed, to wit, blasting with gunpowder two excellent specimens of clachchriothir, or rocking-stones—and building the remains into dikes!1856, David MacGregor Peter, “Byrse of Hillhead”, in The Baronage of Angus and Mearns. Comprising the Genealogy of Three Hundred and Sixty Families—Curious Anecdotes—Descriptions of Clan Tartans, Badges, Slogans, Armory, and Seats—Ancient Sculptures, &c. […], Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd, […]; Montrose: Alex[ander] Rodgers, […], page 34:
Etymology From gothic rock, first used by John Stickney in reference to The Doors in 1967 and used by the late 1970s to describe the musical scene that gave rise to the goth subculture, both from a supposed aesthetic similarity to dark and moody 19th century gothic fiction and earlier gothic art and architecture, from Late Latin gothicus (“Gothic, barbaric”), from Ancient Greek Γοτθικός (Gotthikós), from Ancient Greek Γότθοι (Gótthoi, “Goths”) + -ικός (-ikós, “-ic”), proposed to derive from unattested Gothic *𐌲𐌿𐍄𐌰 (*guta).
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Relating to goth music or people.
With her black clothes and dyed hair, Melanie looked very goth compared to her classmates.
One of them looked like a total freak who had come straight off a Cirque du Soleil stage, with blue streaks in her hair, goth bracelets up her arm and so much black eyeliner that she could be on the set of Cleopatra.2014, Michelle Madow, The Secret Diamond Sisters, page 39:
Etymology From Middle English Gothes, Gotes (both plural). In turn partly from Old English Gotan, singular Gota, and partly from Late Latin Gothi. Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *gutô, perhaps from *geutaną (“to pour”). Compare Old Norse Goti (“Gotlander, Goth”), and related also to Gutnish, Gotland.
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A member of the East Germanic people known for their invasion of the western Roman Empire and subsequent founding of successor states in Italy and Spain during Late Antiquity.
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Figuratively An uncivilized person, a barbarian, a vandal.
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Alternative Alternative form of goth (“member of gothic subculture; or the subculture itself”).
For most Mansonites, Goth is only a phase, and their fashion and outlook on life change alongside Marilyn Manson's.2007, Raven Digitalis, Goth Craft: The Magickal Side of Dark Culture: