Use lore for the collective myths, legends, and cultural knowledge of a group.
Use lore for the collective myths, legends, and cultural knowledge of a group.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The lore of the project is its timeline. | The background story of the project is its timeline. |
| She lored the recipe to her friends. | She shared the recipe with her friends. |
| He has a lot of lore about cars. | He has a lot of knowledge about cars. |
Use lore for the backstory and world‑building details of a story or game.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The lore of the character is his salary. | The character's salary is part of his background, not the lore. |
| I read the lore in the newspaper. | I read the article in the newspaper. |
| The game's lore is just the graphics. | The game's graphics are separate from its lore. |
Do not use lore for modern teaching; prefer 'learning' or 'education'.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Modern teachers use lore to plan lessons. | Modern teachers use curricula to plan lessons. |
| The lore of the university is its tuition fees. | The university's tuition fees are not its lore. |
| She lored the students about grammar. | She taught the students about grammar. |
Choose lore for collective cultural knowledge or fictional backstory, and avoid using it for ordinary facts or recent information.
Using lore for any kind of information, such as saying “the lore of the project is its schedule,” is incorrect.
From Old English lār ‘learning, teaching’, related to West Germanic *laizō and German Lehre.
What does lore mean?
It is a body of traditional knowledge and stories passed down within a culture.
How is lore used in video games?
It refers to the background story and world‑building details that give depth to the game’s setting.
Is lore the same as folklore?
Lore is a part of folklore; folklore includes lore, myths, customs and more.
Can lore be used for modern information?
No, it is usually reserved for traditional or fictional knowledge, not everyday facts.
What is the origin of the word lore?
It comes from Old English lār meaning “learning, teaching,” related to German Lehre.
Is there a plural form of lore?
Lore is generally uncountable and does not have a regular plural.
How does lore differ from history?
History records actual events, while lore includes myths and legends that may not be factual.
Can I use lore as a verb?
In modern English lore is not used as a verb; the verb form is obsolete.
What are some synonyms for lore?
Synonyms include tradition, folklore, mythology, legend, custom, and heritage.