/ sɔː(r); NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
if a part of your body is sore , it is painful, and often red, especially because of infection or because a muscle has been used too much :
to have a sore throat
His feet were sore after the walk.
My stomach is still sore (= painful) after the operation.
➡ note at painful
2.
[ not before noun ] sore (at sb / about sth) ( informal , especially NAmE ) upset and angry, especially because you have been treated unfairly
SYN annoyed
► sore·ness noun [ U ]:
an ointment to reduce soreness and swelling
•
IDIOMS
- a sore point
- stand / stick out like a sore thumb
—more at bear noun , sight noun
■ noun
a painful, often red, place on your body where there is a wound or an infection
SYN wound :
open sores
—see also bedsore , canker sore , cold sore
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English sār (noun and adjective), sāre (adverb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zeer sore and German sehr very.