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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 notes

In 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

Word forms

chuted past tense, chutes plural, chutes plural, Chutes plural, chutes singular

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He tossed the dirty laundry down the _____.

Etymology

From French chute, meaning "a fall".

Origin: French

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial