Definition of GUT (original) (raw)
1
b
: [digestive tract](/dictionary/digestive tract)
also : part of the digestive tract and especially the intestine or stomach
2
guts plural : the inner essential parts
3
guts plural : fortitude and stamina in coping with what alarms, repels, or discourages : courage, pluck
had the guts to run for public office
4
: the basic visceral, emotional, or instinctual part of a person
She knew in her gut that he was lying.
Consult more than one financial adviser before making a final choice, and trust your gut.—
Quentin Fottrell
My gut says this is, overall, a terrible idea.—Erica Buist
—often used before another noun
making a gut decision
a gut feeling
"Tony's a very driven guy, and he makes a lot of decisions based on gut instinct," …—Tom Nides
5
: a narrow passage
also : a narrow waterway or small creek
6
: the sac of silk taken from a silkworm ready to spin its cocoon and drawn out into a thread for use as a snell
1
: arising from one's instincts or emotions rather than logic or reason : visceral
2
: having strong impact or immediate relevance
1
b
: to extract all the essential passages or portions from
2
a
: to destroy the inside of
b
: to destroy the essential power or effectiveness of
inflation gutting the economy
grand unified theory; grand unification theory
Synonyms of gut
Examples of gut in a Sentence
Noun
the guts of the fish the guts of a machine the guts of a business deal That decision took a lot of guts. I didn't have the guts to do it. Verb
The salmon is already gutted and filleted. Critics claim that these reforms will gut the law.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There's a _gut_-punching element of tragedy, too, as Loki kills his real father, Laufey (Colm Feore), then appears to plummet to his own death in the final act. —Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 6 May 2026 Throughout the album, the beats are felt primarily in the ribcage and the gut. —Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 6 May 2026
For example, fiber supplements, such as psyllium husk powder, can be effective in reducing constipation symptoms and improving gut bacterial balance. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 6 May 2026 Our decisions to conceal aren’t purely gut reactions. —Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
What most of us know is a relationship that goes sour, and the one that guts you the most is a love that goes wrong. —Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 7 May 2026 These patterns were consistent across populations and may represent early biological changes, raising the possibility that gut microbiome testing could one day help identify risk earlier, though the research is still observational and does not prove cause and effect. —Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for gut
Word History
Etymology
Noun, Adjective, and Verb
Middle English, from Old English guttas, plural; probably akin to Old English gēotan to pour
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Adjective
1964, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of gut was before the 12th century
Browse Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
“Gut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gut. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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