An orc is a fictional creature that appears in fantasy stories, especially in J.R.R. Tolkien's books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Orcs are typically portrayed as ugly, violent, and brutish warriors who serve evil masters. They're often shown as stronger than humans but not very intelligent, and they live in dark places like caves and underground fortresses.

In Tolkien's stories, orcs are described as corrupted versions of elves, twisted by dark powers into hateful creatures. Vast armies of orcs march to war, causing destruction wherever they go. They speak in rough, harsh voices and are said to fear sunlight.

Since Tolkien's time, orcs have become a standard creature in fantasy games, movies, and books. In video games like World of Warcraft and tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons, orcs often appear as enemies to fight. Some modern stories have reimagined orcs as more complex characters with their own cultures and motivations, rather than simply evil monsters.

When you hear someone called an orc today, it usually means they're acting brutish or uncivilized, though this isn't a kind or respectful thing to say.