gory

Gory is an adjective used to describe imagery, scenes, or descriptions that involve explicit bloodshed or graphic violence. A gory scene typically emphasizes visual details such as wounds, blood, or tissue, rather than implying harm through suggestion alone. The noun gore refers to blood and bodily fluids spilled during injury, and the adjective gory is formed from that noun. The exact historical origin of the blood sense is uncertain, but the term has long been used in English to denote blood-drenched material.

In media and culture, gory content is common in horror, thriller, and action genres, as well as in certain genres of cinema, television, and video games. It is often produced with practical effects or computer-generated imagery to simulate blood and injuries. Gory material is frequently subject to content warnings and rating systems, and debates about its impact on audiences continue in media studies and ethics discussions.

Related terms include graphic, grisly, bloody, and visceral. While some audiences seek out gory material for shock or adrenaline, others consider it gratuitous. In neutral discourse, gory conveys the presence of explicit blood-related detail and is chosen for descriptive rather than normative purposes.