Fictional creatures, typically depicted as brutish, warlike beings in fantasy literature, most famously in Tolkien's works. Usually portrayed as evil humanoid creatures.
Created by J.R.R. Tolkien, possibly influenced by Old English orc meaning 'demon' or Italian orco meaning 'ogre.' Tolkien may have also drawn from the Latin Orcus, a god of the underworld.
Tolkien's orcs have become the template for evil foot soldiers in countless fantasy works, but he later regretted making them irredeemably evil, feeling it was too simplistic. The word has entered gaming and internet culture as shorthand for mindless antagonists.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.