gat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very low (slang, archaic/dialectal)Informal, slang, historical, literary (often evokes early 20th-century gangster or noir contexts)
Quick answer
What does “gat” mean?
A small, hand-held firearm, typically a pistol.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, hand-held firearm, typically a pistol; slang for gun.
In older slang, can refer to any gun. The term originates from the Gatling gun and later became generalized.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is originally American slang from the early 1900s, but has been adopted into British understanding primarily through film and literature. It is rarely, if ever, used in contemporary spoken British English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it evokes Prohibition-era gangsters (e.g., Al Capone) and hard-boiled detective fiction. It sounds dated and stylized.
Frequency
Extremely rare in current usage in both dialects. More likely encountered in historical novels, films, or songs than in active speech.
Grammar
How to Use “gat” in a Sentence
He packed a gat.The gangster produced his gat.She carried a gat in her purse.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or cultural studies on slang or crime fiction.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would sound odd or like an affectation.
Technical
Not used in technical firearms contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gat”
- Using it in modern contexts.
- Spelling as 'gatt' or 'gatt'.
- Assuming it's formal or technical vocabulary.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is historical slang. It is rarely used in contemporary speech outside of deliberate stylistic choices.
It is a shortened form of 'Gatling gun', an early type of machine gun invented by Richard Gatling.
No, it is informal, dated slang. Use standard terms like 'gun' or 'pistol' in formal contexts.
It is understood due to cultural exposure, but it is not native British slang and is not used in everyday British conversation.
A small, hand-held firearm, typically a pistol.
Gat: in British English it is pronounced /ɡæt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡæt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “gat to grind (a variation on 'axe to grind')”
- “packing gat”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Gat rhymes with 'hat' - picture a gangster's fedora hat covering a hidden GAT (gun).
Conceptual Metaphor
A TOOL FOR A JOB (e.g., "He brought his gat to the meeting" implies he brought a tool for intimidation/violence).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'gat' be most appropriate?