Sore vs. Soar — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 1, 2023
Sore is a term denoting pain or a tender area on the body, while Soar means to fly or rise high in the air. They are homophones but have distinct meanings and uses.
Difference Between Sore and Soar
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Key Differences
Sore and Soar, while sounding similar, carry different meanings in the English language. Sore typically pertains to a feeling of pain or discomfort, or it can refer to a specific injured or painful spot on the body. On the other hand, Soar embodies the action or condition of flying or rising high, usually in the context of birds, airplanes, or even emotions.
In terms of etymology, Sore finds its origins in Old English "sār," meaning painful or grievous. It has long been used to describe physical and emotional pain. Soar, however, traces back to Middle English "soren," which implies ascending into the air. Its origins cement its association with flight.
Using Sore in a sentence might involve referencing an injury, like "The bruise on my arm is very sore." In contrast, Soar would find its place in sentences that discuss elevation or ascension, such as "The eagle began to soar above the mountains."
Grammatically, Sore is often used as an adjective or noun to describe or denote pain or tenderness. Soar, predominantly a verb, denotes the action of rising or flying high. Both words, despite their phonetic similarity, occupy distinct positions in language and cannot be used interchangeably.
From a pronunciation standpoint, both Sore and Soar sound alike, making them homophones. However, their differing meanings ensure they convey entirely different sentiments in communication, reinforcing the importance of context in understanding their use.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Typically a noun or adjective
Primarily a verb
Meaning
Pain, tenderness, or an injured spot
Rise or fly high in the air
Etymology
Old English "sār"
Middle English "soren"
Example Usage
"His foot was sore after the hike."
"The kite began to soar in the wind."
Associated Contexts
Injury, discomfort, emotional pain
Flight, elevation, ascension, feelings uplifting
Compare with Definitions
Sore
An injured or painful spot on the body.
The sore on her hand took time to heal.
Soar
To fly or rise high in the air.
The balloon began to soar above the trees.
Sore
Intense or severe.
After the argument, there were sore feelings between them.
Soar
To ascend to great heights.
The mountain peak soars above the clouds.
Sore
Painful to the touch; tender.
Soar
To glide in air currents without flapping wings.
The hawk soars effortlessly above the valley.
Sore
Feeling physical pain; hurting
Sore all over.
Soar
To rise or fly into the air
The startled hawk soared away.
Sore
Causing misery, sorrow, or distress; grievous
In sore need.
Soar
To maintain altitude without moving the wings or using an engine; glide.
Sore
Causing embarrassment or irritation
A sore subject.
Soar
To increase or improve suddenly above the normal or usual level
Sales soared. Our spirits soared.
Sore
Full of distress; sorrowful.
Soar
The act of soaring.
Sore
(Informal) Angry; offended.
Soar
The altitude or scope attained in soaring.
Sore
An open skin lesion, wound, or ulcer.
Soar
(intransitive) To fly high with little effort, like a bird.
Sore
A source of pain, distress, or irritation.
Soar
To mount upward on wings, or as on wings, especially by gliding while employing rising air currents.
Sore
To mutilate the legs or feet of (a horse) in order to induce a particular gait in the animal.
Soar
To remain aloft by means of a glider or other unpowered aircraft.
Sore
Sorely.
Soar
To rise, especially rapidly or unusually high.
The pump prices soared into new heights as the strike continued.
Sore
Causing pain or discomfort; painfully sensitive.
Her feet were sore from walking so far.
Soar
(figuratively) To rise in thought, spirits, or imagination; to be exalted in mood.
Sore
Sensitive; tender; easily pained, grieved, or vexed; very susceptible of irritation.
Soar
The act of soaring.
Sore
Dire; distressing.
The school was in sore need of textbooks, theirs having been ruined in the flood.
Soar
An upward flight.
Sore
(informal) Feeling animosity towards someone; annoyed or angered.
Joe was sore at Bob for beating him at checkers.
Soar
To fly aloft, as a bird; to mount upward on wings, or as on wings.
When soars Gaul's vulture with his wings unfurled.
Sore
(obsolete) Criminal; wrong; evil.
Soar
Fig.: To rise in thought, spirits, or imagination; to be exalted in mood.
Where the deep transported mind may soar.
Valor soars aboveWhat the world calls misfortune.
Sore
(archaic) Very, excessively, extremely (of something bad).
Soar
To fly by wind power; to glide indefinitely without loss of altitude.
Sore
Sorely.
Soar
The act of soaring; upward flight.
This apparent soar of the hooded falcon.
Sore
An injured, infected, inflamed or diseased patch of skin.
They put ointment and a bandage on the sore.
Soar
See 3d Sore.
Sore
Grief; affliction; trouble; difficulty.
Soar
See Sore, reddish brown.
Sore
A young hawk or falcon in its first year.
Soar
The act of rising upward into the air
Sore
A young buck in its fourth year.
Soar
Rise rapidly;
The dollar soared against the yes
Sore
(transitive) To mutilate the legs or feet of (a horse) in order to induce a particular gait.
Soar
Fly by means of a hang glider
Sore
Reddish brown; sorrel.
Soar
Fly upwards or high in the sky
Sore
Tender to the touch; susceptible of pain from pressure; inflamed; painful; - said of the body or its parts; as, a sore hand.
Soar
Go or move upward;
The stock market soared after the cease-fire was announced
Sore
Fig.: Sensitive; tender; easily pained, grieved, or vexed; very susceptible of irritation.
Malice and hatred are very fretting and vexatious, and apt to make our minds sore and uneasy.
Soar
Fly a plane without an engine
Sore
Severe; afflictive; distressing; as, a sore disease; sore evil or calamity.
Soar
To increase rapidly.
Sales began to soar during the holiday season.
Sore
Criminal; wrong; evil.
Soar
To reach a high point or level.
His spirits began to soar after receiving the good news.
Sore
A young hawk or falcon in the first year.
Sore
A young buck in the fourth year. See the Note under Buck.
Sore
A place in an animal body where the skin and flesh are ruptured or bruised, so as to be tender or painful; a painful or diseased place, such as an ulcer or a boil.
The dogs came and licked his sores.
Sore
Fig.: Grief; affliction; trouble; difficulty.
I see plainly where his sore lies.
Sore
In a sore manner; with pain; grievously.
Thy hand presseth me sore.
Sore
Greatly; violently; deeply.
[Hannah] prayed unto the Lord and wept sore.
Sore sighed the knight, who this long sermon heard.
Sore
An open skin infection
Sore
Hurting;
The tender spot on his jaw
Sore
Causing misery or pain or distress;
It was a sore trial to him
The painful process of growing up
Sore
Roused to anger;
Stayed huffy a good while
She gets mad when you wake her up so early
Mad at his friend
Sore over a remark
Sore
Inflamed and painful;
His throat was raw
Had a sore throat
Sore
A feeling of physical pain.
My back is sore from lifting boxes.
Sore
Causing emotional pain or distress.
The loss of his pet was a sore subject.
Sore
Inflamed and painful.
His throat was sore after shouting at the concert.
Common Curiosities
Is Sore always related to physical pain?
Not always, it can also refer to emotional distress.
Can Soar be used in a non-literal sense?
Yes, like when saying someone's spirits or confidence soared.
What does Sore typically refer to?
Sore usually denotes pain, tenderness, or an injured spot on the body.
In what context might I use Soar?
Soar can refer to flying high, rapid increase, or reaching a high point.
Can a topic or subject be Sore?
Yes, if it causes discomfort or emotional pain when discussed.
Are Sore and Soar pronounced the same way?
Yes, they are homophones and sound alike.
Can I use Sore and Soar interchangeably in sentences?
No, they have different meanings and cannot be swapped.
Is Sore always used as an adjective?
It's commonly an adjective but can also be a noun.
How is Soar typically used in a sentence?
Soar is often used as a verb denoting the action of rising or flying.
Which is more related to discomfort, Sore or Soar?
Sore is directly related to discomfort or pain.
Which term, Sore or Soar, is related to elevation or height?
Soar is associated with rising or attaining height.
Can emotions Soar?
Yes, feelings like happiness or excitement can be described as soaring.
If a bird is seen soaring, what is it doing?
It's flying or gliding high in the air, often without flapping its wings.
If someone has a Sore throat, what does it mean?
It means their throat is painful or inflamed.
Can Sore also refer to a wound or lesion?
Yes, a wound or lesion can be described as a sore.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
