noun
Uncommon
chute
shoot
Chute (noun) means a sloped or vertical channel used to slide or drop objects from a higher point to a lower one. Example: “He tossed the dirty laundry down the chute.”
noun
1
A sloped or vertical channel used to slide or drop objects from a higher point to a lower one.
"He tossed the dirty laundry down the chute."
"Coal slid down the chute into the cellar."
2
A narrow passage used to funnel or confine animals, such as livestock.
"The cattle were guided through the chute before loading."
3
Informal shortening of "parachute".
"His chute opened just in time."
How to use chute
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sloped channel things slide down, a narrow animal pen, or short for parachute.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "shoot" (to fire a weapon or grow rapidly) — they sound identical but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
laundry chute
cattle chute
pull the chute
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Word forms
- Plural
- chutes
- Third person singular
- chutes
- Past tense
- chuted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He tossed the dirty laundry down the _____.
Etymology
From French chute, meaning "a fall".
Related words
Rhymes for chute
See all rhymes for chute →Frequently asked questions
What does “chute” mean?
The word “chute” means a sloped or vertical channel used to slide or drop objects from a higher point to a lower one. In plain terms, a sloped channel things slide down, a narrow animal pen, or short for parachute.
How do you pronounce “chute”?
“Chute” is pronounced shoot (/ʃut/ in IPA).
How do you use “chute” in a sentence?
Here is “chute” used in a sentence: “He tossed the dirty laundry down the chute.”
What part of speech is “chute”?
“Chute” is a noun.
Where does the word “chute” come from?
The word “chute” comes from French. From French chute, meaning "a fall".
Is “chute” a common word?
“Chute” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “chute” have?
“Chute” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sloped or vertical channel used to slide or drop objects from a higher point to a lower one.
