Ok, so...
Alot of people are getting the wrong idea about what being gothic really means.
There are many ways to describe it.
1. It's a type of music. Gothic rock usually contains a dark, yet somehow sweet sound. And, most goths I know (including myself) listen to all types of music. But, also like me prefer to listen to metal.

2. I just have to point this out: Goth is NOT a religion.
Just because you're gothic, it doesn't mean you worship Satan and blah blah blah.
Even though most people involved in gothic culture are not believers of God, I do know Christian goths.

3. There is also a style of dress that comes with gothic lifestyle. Yes, most goths do wear black. (Personally, I'm a HUGE fan of corsets and such...) But we do wear color too. Take cybergoths for examlpe. ^.^ You can catch them wearing the coolest outfits that include many neon colors and such. Different shades of purples, reds, blues, and even greens are popular among goths.
There is much more to be said...but I know some are probably bored at this moment...
Thanks, and enjoy.

There is something horribly wrong with the way people view "goths". "Goths" are not always doom and gloom. They are not always listening to screaming, miserable music. And, oh, did you know, some "Goths" even wear different colors other than black? Ever heard of Bauhaus or Siouxsie and the Banshees? They're considered "goth" bands.

The culture is so much different from what people make it out to be. Being "goth" is a way of expressing yourself to your liking. Just as some might wear letterman jackets and other clothes. They're normal people with different views. You can't lump them into some little group because a bunch of teenyboppers decided they were going to slit their wrists and write horrible poetry. That's just the same as saying all "preps" worship their boyfriends and say 'like' all of the time. It's stupid and it's full of prejudice. Granted, prejudice is what seems to make the world go around lately.. Doesn't mean you have to give in to that trend of throwing out vile and disgusting words at something you don't understand.

1)Art of the middle-ages. Dark art.

2)Of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a style of architecture developed in northern France and spreading through western Europe from the middle of the 12th century to the early 16th century that is characterized by the converging of weights and strains at isolated points upon slender vertical piers and counterbalancing buttresses and by pointed arches and vaulting

3)Referal to the middle-ages.

4)Literature style mostly using dark, remote settings.

5)A genre of music steming from punk rock and became popular in the mid 1980's. Korn, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson and Tool are not gothic bands.

6)The language of the Goths.

Note: people cannot be gothic, gothic is not a state of mind, it is not a life style, it is not clothing.

(n.) 1. A word generally used in relation the the macabre or other darker elements.
2. A movement in literature that branched off of the individualist movement of the 1700's, usually revolving around the darker elements of human nature.
3. Jagged and spaciouis architecture, usually referenced by gothic cathedrals, in which vast open areas invoke feelings of belittlement.
4. A stereotype encompassing whiny, pissant teenagers craving attention. Usually identified by an immense use of black, vampires, blood, and anarchy symbols.

the best way of life, all the girls are hot, the guys have manners, and you can have fun doing anything.

A real time, German RPG with an engrossing storyline, and an excellent combat system.

1) A style of architecture in the 20th century.

2) A tribe, also called Gaul’s, who sacked the Roman Empire, causing the dark ages and medieval times.

2) A subculture who likes the darker side of things, but not really evil. Gothic music has many different genres, there is screamo and death metal sounding gothic music, there's peaceful gothic music, there is a mix of classical instruments and modern rock instruments, and much more. Classic gothic clothing is usually chains and black clothes.

Goths are stereotyped to only wear black, but that is not true. Usually a gothic person likes more than black, like gray, red, blue, or purple for example.

Stereotypes:

All Goths only like black.
All Goths are satanic.
All Goths are evil.
All Goths are miserable.
All Goths like blood.
All Goths like vampires.
Goths never laugh.
Goths cut themselves.
Goths are depressed.
Goths are ignorant teenagers who just want attention.

These are the truths:

Goths who shop at Hot Topic or other stores like that are posers, see Mall Goth.
Goths are usually nice and happy, but not all the time. Some of them just have a darker character, which doesn't make them evil.
Goths are usually peaceful; they almost never settle things by fighting.
Goths do not cut themselves. See emotionally distressed. (NOTE: Emos do not cut themselves either, but emotionally distressed people do.)
Not all Goths view Marilyn Manson, as the 'King of Goth.' Marilyn Manson is not Gothic, he is just a crazy guy who sings metal. He is one of the people who gives Goths a bad name.
Goths are random individuals who happen to like the same things.

Of or referring to tribal goths of iron age eastern europe and western asia. I.e. Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Gutans, Gota, Gotas, etc. etc.
A form of architecture, not agriculture, typified by flying butresses to support high vaulted ceilings. A light open Nave surrounded by large stained glass windows to allow light in. The main impression intended to be "God is bigger than you."
A trendy subculture of emotional teens. Typified by wearing black and red, listening to Industrial rock(Which is fine), complaining about everyone else conforming... ahem, and appropriating the wrong fucking term for themselves!!!

i think people on this definition are mistaking gothic with alternative, a movement which took place in the 1990's.

gothic really isn't about individuality, that is more of a side effect.

PS: Justin Timberlake? Come on, you folks spend WAY too much time thinking about boy bands.