First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1gutter
noun gut·ter \ˈgə-tər\
: a long, hollow device that is attached to the edges of a roof to catch rain and carry it away from a building
: a low area at the side of a road that is used to catch water and carry it away from the road
: a long, narrow low section along the sides of a bowling lane
Full Definition of GUTTER
1
a : a trough along the eaves to catch and carry off rainwater b : a low area (as at the edge of a street) to carry off surface water (as to a sewer) c : a trough or groove to catch and direct something <the gutters of a bowling alley>
2
: a white space formed by the adjoining inside margins of two facing pages (as of a book)
3
: the lowest or most vulgar level or condition of human life
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Origin of GUTTER
Middle English goter, from Anglo-French gutere, goter, from gute drop, from Latin gutta
Related to GUTTER
- Synonyms
- drainpipe, eaves trough, rainspout, spout, trough, waterspout
2gutter
verb
Definition of GUTTER
transitive verb
1
: to cut or wear gutters in
2
: to provide with a gutter
intransitive verb
1
a : to flow in rivulets b of a candle : to melt away through a channel out of the side of the cup hollowed out by the burning wick
2
: to incline downward in a draft <the candle flame guttering>
First Known Use of GUTTER
14th century
3gutter
adjective
: of the worst kind : offensive or immoral
Full Definition of GUTTER
: of, relating to, or characteristic of the gutter; especially : marked by extreme vulgarity, cheapness, or indecency <gutter politics>
See gutter defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of GUTTER
15th century
Related to GUTTER
GUTTER Defined for Kids
gutter
noun gut·ter \ˈgə-tər\
Definition of GUTTER for Kids
1
: a trough along the eaves of a house to catch and carry off water
2
: a low area (as at the side of a road) to carry off surface water
Medical Dictionary
gutter
noun gut·ter \ˈgət-ər\
Medical Definition of GUTTER
: a depressed furrow between body parts (as on the surface between a pair of adjacent ribs or in the dorsal wall of the body cavity on either side of the spinal column)
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