gunny: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical (agricultural, shipping), Historical, Regional.
Quick answer
What does “gunny” mean?
A coarse, heavy fabric made from jute or hemp, used for sacks.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A coarse, heavy fabric made from jute or hemp, used for sacks.
Also refers to a sack or bag made from this material.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'hessian' is the more common term for the fabric. 'Gunny' is recognized but used less frequently and may sound archaic or specifically technical. In American English, 'burlap' is the dominant term, with 'gunny' used in specific contexts (e.g., military, agriculture in certain regions).
Connotations
Both dialects: Can connote rough, practical, old-fashioned, or low-value items. No strong positive or negative emotional charge.
Frequency
Low frequency in both dialects. Higher historical frequency, now largely supplanted by 'burlap' (US) and 'hessian' (UK).
Grammar
How to Use “gunny” in a Sentence
[made] of gunny[packed/stored] in a gunny [sack]a gunny [sack] of [potatoes]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gunny” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- This word is not used as a verb.
American English
- This word is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- This word is not used as an adverb.
American English
- This word is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The gunny material was perfect for wrapping the tree roots.
American English
- They bought gunny sacks at the feed store.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in historical contexts of commodity shipping (e.g., 'gunny sacks of coffee beans').
Academic
Rare. Could appear in historical, agricultural, or material science texts discussing traditional packaging.
Everyday
Very rare. An older person might use it; most speakers would say 'burlap sack' or 'hessian bag'.
Technical
The primary register. Used in agriculture, historical military logistics (e.g., 'gunny sacks' for sandbags), and some traditional crafts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gunny”
- Using 'gunny' as a general term for any bag (e.g., 'plastic gunny').
- Confusing 'gunny' with 'gunnysack' (one word is sometimes used, but 'gunny sack' is standard).
- Assuming it is a high-frequency modern word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in American English, 'gunny' refers to the same coarse fabric as 'burlap', though 'burlap' is far more common today.
No, 'gunny' is exclusively a noun (for the fabric) or an adjective (as in 'gunny sack'). It is not used as a verb.
You are most likely to encounter it in historical novels, texts about traditional agriculture, or in regional speech, particularly from older generations in rural America.
It comes from the Sanskrit 'goṇi', meaning 'sack', via Hindi 'goṇī'. It entered English through trade in India.
A coarse, heavy fabric made from jute or hemp, used for sacks.
Gunny is usually technical (agricultural, shipping), historical, regional. in register.
Gunny: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not applicable for this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GUNNY sack being GUNNY (sounds like 'gunny') - it's a rough sack you might see in an old Western, not a fancy bag.
Conceptual Metaphor
DUrability / Roughness: "He had a gunny-sack personality—coarse but实用" (metaphor for a rough, unrefined but practical person).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'gunny' MOST likely to be used correctly?