goths
goths
Pronunciation
/ɡɒθs/
goth
/ɡ/ - voiced velar plosive
/ɒ/ - open-mid back rounded vowel
/θ/ - voiceless dental fricative
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
Word Form Variations
Singular: goth
Plural: goths
Possessive (Singular): goth's
Possessive (Plural): goths'
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A member of a Germanic people who played a major role in the fall of the Western Roman Empire. They were a powerful and influential group in late antiquity.
Synonyms: Visigoth, Ostrogoth
Antonyms: Roman
A subculture that began in the early 1980s, originating from the post-punk music scene. It is characterized by dark fashion, often featuring black clothing, makeup, and silver jewelry, and an appreciation for gothic rock music, art, and literature.
Synonyms: darkwave, post-punk
Antonyms: prep, jock, normcore
An individual who identifies with the goth subculture, characterized by a preference for dark aesthetics, introspective themes, and a connection to gothic art forms.
Synonyms: darkling, romantic, outsider
Antonyms: conformist, mainstreamer
Adjective
Relating to or characteristic of the Goths, the ancient Germanic people.
Synonyms: Gothic, Visigothic, Ostrogothic
Antonyms: Roman, Classical
Relating to or characteristic of the goth subculture, its fashion, music, or themes.
Synonyms: dark, somber, macabre
Antonyms: cheerful, bright, conventional
Examples of Use
News Media: A headline in The Guardian read, "How the Goths sacked Rome and why it still matters." The article detailed the historical significance of the event and its lasting impact. (The Guardian, February 2024)
Online Publication: "The enduring appeal of Goths is a testament to the power of a subculture to outlive its musical origins," an article on Vice argued, exploring how the fashion and philosophy of the subculture have persisted for decades. (Vice, October 2023)
Film: In the movie The Batman (2022), a character with a dark aesthetic is referred to by another character as "a total goth," in reference to their black clothing and introspective demeanor.
Television: An episode of the show What We Do in the Shadows features a storyline where a group of vampires encounters a group of goths at a nightclub, leading to comedic misunderstandings about their respective subcultures.
Book: In Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods, the character Low Key Lyesmith makes a historical reference, saying, "The Goths—Ostro-Goths, Visi-Goths, whichever lot you mean—came from the east."
Public Discourse: In a social media post, a user shared a photo of a concert attendee with dramatic makeup and all-black attire, with the caption, "This is peak goth fashion. Love the commitment to the aesthetic."
Music: The band The Cure, often cited as a foundational influence on the goth subculture, has lyrics that explore themes of melancholy and romance, which resonate deeply with many who identify as goths.
Video Game: In the game Final Fantasy XV, there is a character named Ardyn Izunia, who, with his dark clothing and sinister demeanor, has been described by some players and fans in online forums as having a "goth-like" appearance.
10 Famous Quotes Using Goths
"It's only people that aren't goths that think The Cure are a goth band." (Robert Smith)
"I always get the 'goth girl' thing because I wear black. But I don't worship death." (Fairuza Balk)
"I was a goth in my student days. I dyed my hair black, but it came out grey, with a blue scalp." (Alice Roberts)
"I was a goth girl in high school. Perhaps the powdered white face and the black lipstick were not the most attractive." (Christina Hendricks)
"A true goth thrives where others fear to tread." (Aurelio Voltaire Hernández)
"Women are more open to trying on a new personality every season; they can go from goth to bombshell to librarian, whatever." (Michael Bastian)
"I went to a very mean school and was bullied like crazy. I was a bit of a goth with purple hair." (Christina Hendricks)
"Just because the character listens to an iPod and wears black nail polish, she's goth." (Rooney Mara)
"Goth culture, as mired in the past as it is, even it goes through changes, so goth when I was growing up is not what it is now." (Jhonen Vasquez)
"The Goths—Ostro-Goths, Visi-Goths, whichever lot you mean—came from the east." (Neil Gaiman, American Gods)
Etymology
The word "goth" comes from the Latin word Gothus, which was used by the Romans to refer to a Germanic people who were known for their military prowess and played a key role in the decline of the Western Roman Empire. The first known use of this word in English, as "goth," appeared in the late 16th century, referring directly to this ancient people.
The meaning of the word has evolved significantly over time. In the 18th century, it was used to describe a style of architecture known as "Gothic," which was seen as wild and barbaric compared to the classical styles of ancient Greece and Rome. This term then became associated with a genre of literature—gothic fiction—that explored themes of horror, mystery, and the supernatural.
Finally, in the late 20th century, "goth" was adopted to name a subculture that emerged from the post-punk music scene of the 1980s. This subculture embraced dark aesthetics, introspective themes, and a fascination with the macabre, drawing on the historical and literary meanings of the word.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Goths
"To go goth": To adopt the style and aesthetic of the goth subculture, often through changes in clothing, makeup, and music taste.
"Goth metal": A subgenre of heavy metal music that incorporates elements of gothic rock and darkwave, often with female vocals and symphonic arrangements.
"Goth punk": A style that blends the dark aesthetics and introspective lyrics of goth with the raw energy and aggression of punk rock.
"Gothic romance": A literary genre that combines elements of horror and romance, often set in a brooding or mysterious location like a castle or old mansion.
"Dress like a goth": To wear all-black clothing, often with elaborate makeup, dark lipstick, and silver jewelry, in the style of the goth subculture.
"Goth-rock band": A band that plays a style of rock music characterized by its dark, moody atmosphere, often with heavy basslines and dramatic vocals.
"To be an outsider, a bit of a dark horse": This phrase, using a synonym, suggests a person who is mysterious, non-conformist, and perhaps has a hidden depth, similar to the stereotype of a goth.
"Goth club": A nightclub or venue that primarily plays goth music and caters to the goth subculture.
"Goth festival": An event, often spanning multiple days, that celebrates goth music, fashion, and culture, such as the Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Germany.
"Goth kid": A term, sometimes used informally or pejoratively, to describe a young person who is part of the goth subculture.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of goths from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
