greedy guts: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, colloquial, often used humorously or affectionately, especially with children.
Quick answer
What does “greedy guts” mean?
A noun describing a person who eats excessively or voraciously.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A noun describing a person who eats excessively or voraciously.
A humorous or mildly critical term for someone with a strong tendency to overindulge in food, or, more figuratively, someone who is excessively eager to acquire or consume something (e.g., money, attention).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Used in both varieties, but is perhaps slightly more common in British English, where 'guts' as a colloquial term for a person is more established (e.g., 'lazy guts').
Connotations
Similar connotations in both: humorous, mildly critical. Rarely genuinely insulting.
Frequency
Low frequency in formal contexts everywhere. Common in informal spoken English, particularly with or about children.
Grammar
How to Use “greedy guts” in a Sentence
Direct address: 'Hey, greedy guts!'Subject complement: 'He's a real greedy guts.'Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used in informal, familial, or friendly contexts, often while sharing food. 'Don't be a greedy guts, save some for your sister.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “greedy guts”
- Using it as an adjective (*'He is very greedy guts.'). It is a noun. Correct: 'He is a greedy guts.'
- Pluralising it incorrectly (*'greedy gutses'). It is typically non-count in this usage.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is rarely genuinely offensive. It is informal and often used humorously or affectionately, especially with children. Tone and context are key.
Yes, but this is a figurative extension. The primary meaning relates to food. When used for money/possessions, it retains its humorous, informal tone.
The standard form is 'greedy guts'. 'Greedy gut' is occasionally heard but is non-standard.
It functions as a singular noun, typically in patterns like 'a greedy guts' or in direct address: 'you greedy guts!'.
A noun describing a person who eats excessively or voraciously.
Greedy guts is usually informal, colloquial, often used humorously or affectionately, especially with children. in register.
Greedy guts: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡriːdi ˈɡʌts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡridi ˈɡəts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'Greedy guts' is itself an idiomatic compound noun.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cartoon character whose stomach (guts) is growling and expanding because they are so GREEDY for food.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESIRE IS HUNGER / A PERSON IS THEIR STOMACH.
Practice
Quiz
What part of speech is 'greedy guts' in the sentence: 'Tom is a real greedy guts.'?