gullet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical (medical, anatomical), informal (when referring to appetite), literary/descriptive.
Quick answer
What does “gullet” mean?
the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach; the oesophagus.
In broader or figurative use, it can refer to a narrow passage, channel, or throat-like opening, such as the space between rollers in machinery or the throat of a mining shaft. It can also be used informally to mean 'appetite' or 'stomach'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is used and understood in both varieties with identical core meaning. 'Oesophagus' (UK) / 'Esophagus' (US) is the standard medical term.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'gullet' can sound slightly informal or graphic compared to the clinical 'oesophagus/esophagus'. It is common in cooking, hunting, and informal descriptions.
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK informal speech (e.g., 'stuffed my gullet'), but the difference is minimal.
Grammar
How to Use “gullet” in a Sentence
[Something] sticks in [someone's] gullet (figurative)[Someone] forces [something] down [their] gulletVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gullet” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The fishhook had become lodged in the pike's gullet.
- His proud boast about the deal stuck in my gullet for days.
- A pint of bitter to wash the pie down his gullet.
American English
- The vet said the bone was obstructing the dog's gullet.
- The arrogance of the proposal really stuck in my gullet.
- He shoveled the fries into his gullet before the movie started.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except perhaps in metaphorical use about hard-to-swallow deals.
Academic
Used in biological, anatomical, veterinary, and culinary contexts. 'Oesophagus/Esophagus' is preferred in formal medical writing.
Everyday
Informal, especially when talking about eating quickly or something being hard to swallow (literally or figuratively).
Technical
Common in veterinary medicine, butchery, fishing (describing fish anatomy), and certain types of engineering (e.g., the gullet of a saw).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gullet”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gullet”
- Confusing 'gullet' with 'gulley' or 'gully' (a small valley or ditch).
- Using 'gullet' in overly formal medical contexts where 'oesophagus/esophagus' is required.
- Misspelling as 'gullit'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not rude, but it is informal and can be considered graphic or visceral. It's fine in casual conversation but 'oesophagus/esophagus' is better for polite or formal settings.
Yes, very commonly. It is frequently used in contexts involving pets, livestock, hunting, and fishing.
The 'throat' (pharynx) is the broader passage at the back of the mouth that leads to both the gullet (oesophagus) for food and the windpipe (trachea) for air. The 'gullet' is specifically the tube to the stomach.
It means that something (a comment, situation, or action) is very difficult or impossible to accept, often causing resentment or indignation.
the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach.
Gullet is usually technical (medical, anatomical), informal (when referring to appetite), literary/descriptive. in register.
Gullet: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌlɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌlɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stick in one's gullet (or craw): to be difficult or impossible to accept.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a seagull ("gul-") eating ("-let" as in 'let it in') a fish whole. The gull's GULLET stretches to swallow it.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A CONDUIT / A PASSAGEWAY FOR CONSUMPTION. Also used metaphorically for acceptance: UNACCEPTABLE IDEAS ARE OBJECTS THAT CANNOT BE SWALLOWED.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'gullet' LEAST appropriate?