gutter
noun · verb
Simple meaning
A prepared channel in a surface.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
guhterSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈɡʌtɚ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
A prepared channel in a surface, especially at the side of a road adjacent to a curb, intended for the drainage of water.
A duct or channel beneath the eaves of a building to carry rain water; eavestrough.
A ditch along the side of a road.
A channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater
Any narrow channel or groove, such as one formed by erosion in the vent of a gun from repeated firing.
figuratively
A low, vulgar state.
verb
transitive
To send (a bowling ball) into the gutter, not hitting any pins.
Provide with gutters
transitive
To supply with a gutter or gutters.
Wear or cut gutters into
“The heavy rain guttered the soil.”
transitive
To cut or form into small longitudinal hollows; to channel.
To flow or stream; to form gutters.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- B2 · Upper Intermediate (estimated)
- Frequency
- Uncommon
- Formality
- Technical
More ways to use gutter
- “The gutters must be cleared of leaves a few times a year.”noun
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Common Patterns and Combinations
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Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
Press that engages in sensational journalism (especially concerning the private lives of public figures).
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.