the gutter

noun

: the lowest or poorest conditions of human life
He squandered all his money and wound up in the gutter.

Examples of the gutter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the gutter, the usual New Orleans blend of litter and live-oak leaves was topped by a shimmering layer of pink fish scales glinting in the sun. Daniel Brook, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 In at least one street, oil ran into the gutter of Koohsar Boulevard, in the city’s Shahran neighborhood, according to videos geolocated by NBC News. Alexander Smith, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026 Ballard, needing seven pins on his last roll to beat Pete Weber, gets none as his ball falls into the gutter. Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026 His approval rating is in the gutter. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for the gutter

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The gutter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20gutter. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster