gutter

noun

gut·ter | \ ˈgə-tər

Definition of gutter

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : 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

gutter

verb

guttered; guttering; gutters

Definition of gutter (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to cut or wear gutters in

2 : to provide with a gutter

intransitive verb

1a : 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

gutter

adjective

Definition of gutter (Entry 3 of 3)

: of, relating to, or characteristic of the gutter especially : marked by extreme vulgarity, cheapness, or indecency gutter politics

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about gutter

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Examples of gutter in a Sentence

Noun

one of his chores is to clean leaves and sticks out of the gutters before winter sets in rainwater running off the road into the gutters

Adjective

a novel that does a good job of rendering the gutter language of that stratum of society

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Sometimes arrogant, always assured, the 24-year-old quarterback is being hailed as the franchise’s savior, the one to finally lead the Browns from the gutter to glory. — Washington Post, "Leading man: QB Baker Mayfield brings hope, hype to Browns," 4 Sep. 2019 Sometimes arrogant, always assured, the 24-year-old quarterback is being hailed as the franchise's savior, the one to finally lead the Browns from the gutter to glory. — Tom Withers, chicagotribune.com, "Leading man: QB Baker Mayfield brings hope, hype to Browns," 3 Sep. 2019 In Stephen King’s lore, Pennywise the Clown emerges from the gutters every 27 years. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, "The 32 Most Anticipated Movies of Fall 2019," 7 Aug. 2019 Upkeep alone—tasks like yard work, carpet cleaning and maintaining the gutters—can run $3,000 a year, according to a recent Zillow study. — Irina Ivanova, CBS News, "Americans still think they can make money flipping houses," 19 July 2019 Bethany Adams for her first-floor design work; Dennis Lally of Lally Construction for restoring the box gutters; Old Louisville Hardwood Floors for the flooring and staircase restoration. — Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, "See inside this stunning remodeled Victorian mansion in Old Louisville," 27 June 2019 Transmission fluid pooled in the gutter, where urine bottles had landed. — Los Angeles Times, "After 9 years on L.A.’s streets, Big Mama needed a home. But it wasn’t that easy," 15 Aug. 2019 Among the problems: missing gutters, faulty electric circuits, gaps between cabinets, and a home hanging over the edge of its foundation. — Dallas News, "He was charged with fraud. The city of Dallas hired him anyway.," 16 July 2019 From purchasing portable generators to cleaning out your gutters, Chron.com compiled a must-do list that will keep you and your family prepared for almost anything a major storm would throw your way. — Jay R. Jordan, Houston Chronicle, "As storm system brews in Gulf of Mexico, here's how you prepare," 9 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The cities can dictate whether or not it's curbed and guttered, concrete, setback limitations, the house size, the lot size and a number of other restrictions. — David Taylor, Houston Chronicle, "Commissioners yield to Dayton for stricter subdivision rules," 29 Mar. 2018 The flame of Indian paleontology may be guttering, but a few recent developments have buoyed spirits. — Sanjay Kumar, Science | AAAS, "India’s paleontologists fight destruction of its fossil riches," 4 Apr. 2018 Is the spirit of man extinguished at death like a candle guttered by a passing wind? — Pioneer Press Editorial Board, Twin Cities, "An Easter homily," 16 Apr. 2017 That sum would pay partially for street repaving, major bridge rehabilitation, and curb and gutter rehabilitation — all part of the Department of Public Works’ nearly $227 million bond request for deferred maintenance. — Jon Murray, The Denver Post, "Backlog of repairs may weigh down Denver’s fall bond measures, pushing out new projects," 15 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gutter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near gutter

Statistics for gutter

Last Updated

9 Oct 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for gutter

The first known use of gutter was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for gutter

gutter

noun

English Language Learners Definition of gutter

(Entry 1 of 2)

: 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

gutter

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of gutter (Entry 2 of 2)

: of the worst kind : offensive or immoral

See the full definition for gutter in the English Language Learners Dictionary

gutter

noun

gut·ter | \ ˈgə-tər

Kids Definition of gutter

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

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)