noun

gat

Gat (noun) means slang for a handgun. Example: “He kept a gat tucked in his waistband.”

noun

Slang for a handgun.

"He kept a gat tucked in his waistband."

"The film is full of tough talk and characters waving gats around."

How to use gat

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old-fashioned slang word for a gun, especially a pistol, common in crime fiction and gangster movies.

When to use it

Informal, mostly found in slang, older crime writing, and hip-hop lyrics rather than everyday speech.

Word forms

gatted past tense, gats plural, gats plural, gats plural, gats plural, gats singular

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He kept a _____ tucked in his waistband.

Etymology

A shortening of "Gatling gun", named after its inventor Richard Gatling, later applied loosely to any pistol.

Frequently asked questions

What does “gat” mean?

The word “gat” means slang for a handgun. In plain terms, an old-fashioned slang word for a gun, especially a pistol, common in crime fiction and gangster movies.

How do you pronounce “gat”?

“Gat” is pronounced gat (/ɡæt/ in IPA).

How do you use “gat” in a sentence?

Here is “gat” used in a sentence: “He kept a gat tucked in his waistband.”

What part of speech is “gat”?

“Gat” is a noun.