A gutter is a long, narrow channel on a roof edge. It collects rainwater and takes it away from the building. Gutters help keep buildings dry.
Water runs down the gutter on the roof.
Clean leaves from the gutter after the storm.
On streets, gutters are low channels on the side where water flows away after rain. They help keep roads dry by guiding water to drains.
Rainwater flows into the road gutter.
Cars park near the gutter on the street.
In technical areas, a gutter can be a small channel designed to carry liquid from one place to another. This use is common in machines or factories.
Oil moves through the gutter inside the machine.
The gutter directs water to the main pipe.
In sports like bowling, the gutter is the area on the side of the lane where the ball is not supposed to go. If the ball enters the gutter, the player scores no points.
The ball fell into the gutter on the bowling lane.
Avoid the gutter when you roll the ball.
This meaning uses 'gutter' to talk about very bad or poor parts of life or society. It means living or being at the lowest condition, with many problems or difficulties.
He grew up in the gutter and worked hard.
Some say the film shows life in the gutter.
As a verb, 'to gutter' means to flow or move down slowly into a narrow space like a gutter. It is often used for water or small things moving this way.
Water gutters down the side of the house.
Leaves guttered into the street after rain.
In printing, the gutter is the blank space where two pages meet near the binding. It ensures text is not cut off when pages are joined together.
Leave extra space in the gutter for the book binding.
The gutter between pages is wider here.
Used as a noun, 'gutter' can mean a person or thing seen as very bad or shameful. It is often used in slang or negative speech.
He acts like a gutter in the community.
Some tabloids focus on gutter stories.
