gutter

[ˈɡʌt.ə]

[ˈɡʌt.ɚ]

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A gutter is a long narrow channel or trough that carries water away from buildings. It's usually found at the edge of roofs.

Imagine walking through a neighborhood on a rainy day. You notice that most houses have something sticking out below their roof, just under the eaves. That's probably a gutter! Its main job is to catch rainwater and other liquids that fall off the roof and channel them away from the house. Gutter systems often include downspouts that carry water straight down to the ground or into drains, keeping the foundation of the building dry and preventing water damage.

How common is "gutter"?

Word gutter is considered rare in modern English.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.

Definitions

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 ditch along the side of a road.
A duct or channel beneath the eaves of a building to carry rain water; eavestrough.
Example: The gutters must be cleared of leaves a few times a year.
A groove down the sides of a bowling lane.
A large groove (commonly behind animals) in a barn used for the collection and removal of animal excrement.
Any narrow channel or groove, such as one formed by erosion in the vent of a gun from repeated firing.
A space between printed columns of text.
One of a number of pieces of wood or metal, grooved in the centre, used to separate the pages of type in a form.
An unprinted space between rows of stamps.
A drainage channel.
The notional locus of things, acts, or events which are distasteful, ill bred or morally questionable.
A low, vulgar state.
Example: Get your mind out of the gutter.
The spaces between comic book panels

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verb

To flow or stream; to form gutters.
(of a candle) To melt away by having the molten wax run down along the side of the candle.
(of a small flame) To flicker as if about to be extinguished.
To send (a bowling ball) into the gutter, not hitting any pins.
To supply with a gutter or gutters.
To cut or form into small longitudinal hollows; to channel.

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Real examples of "gutter" in context

Film Theory: Why Do You Still Care About Gravity Falls?

Entertainment

passageway. Not like that, get your mind out of the gutter. And keep in mind, this was back when

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