gut
9 synonyms for gut, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The stomach and intestines; someone's digestive system.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use gut
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
gut feeling
gut instinct
gut a fish
gut the building
Etymology
From Old English gutt ("entrails"), going back to a very old root meaning "to pour" — the same idea behind the word "gutter".
Full origin of gut →Frequently asked questions
What does “gut” mean?
The word “gut” means the stomach and intestines; someone's digestive system. In plain terms, the stomach/intestines, a bulging belly, or — figuratively — instinct and the emotional core of a decision.
How do you pronounce “gut”?
“Gut” is pronounced guht (/ɡʌt/ in IPA).
How do you use “gut” in a sentence?
Here is “gut” used in a sentence: “Spicy food never agrees with my gut.”
What part of speech is “gut”?
Depending on how it is used, “gut” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gut” come from?
The word “gut” comes from Old English. From Old English gutt ("entrails"), going back to a very old root meaning "to pour" — the same idea behind the word "gutter".
Is “gut” a common word?
“Gut” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “gut” have?
“Gut” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the stomach and intestines; someone's digestive system.
What is the difference between a gut feeling and intuition?
Both describe understanding or deciding without conscious reasoning. Gut feeling is the more informal, physical-sounding term for an immediate emotional reaction, while intuition sounds more considered and is more at home in formal writing.
Is gut a rude word for stomach?
Gut is informal but not rude; it is the everyday word for the stomach and intestines. It can sound blunt or unflattering when describing a person's belly, especially a large one, so stomach or abdomen are the polite or clinical choices.
