gunnysack: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
lowinformal, regional (especially agricultural, historical)
Quick answer
What does “gunnysack” mean?
A coarse, durable bag made of gunny (a fabric typically of jute or hemp), used for storing or transporting bulk goods such as grains, potatoes, or coffee.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A coarse, durable bag made of gunny (a fabric typically of jute or hemp), used for storing or transporting bulk goods such as grains, potatoes, or coffee.
Informally, any large, rough sack used for practical or makeshift purposes; can evoke rustic, utilitarian, or impoverished contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English; in British English, 'hessian sack' or 'burlap bag' are preferred equivalents.
Connotations
In both varieties, suggests utilitarianism and simplicity. In American English, may carry stronger historical or rural associations.
Frequency
Rare in modern British English; low-frequency in American English, mostly in specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “gunnysack” in a Sentence
[a/the] gunnysack of [noun]filled with [noun]made of gunny/burlap/juteVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in agricultural commodity or packaging discussions.
Academic
Rare; occasional use in historical, agricultural, or sociological texts.
Everyday
Informal, used mainly by older generations or in rural/agricultural areas.
Technical
Used in agriculture, packaging, or textile industries for a specific bag type.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gunnysack”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gunnysack”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gunnysack”
- Misspelling as two words ('gunny sack') or as 'gunysack'.
- Using it for any sack, ignoring the coarse-material specification.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in American English, 'gunnysack' and 'burlap bag' are often used interchangeably, both referring to a coarse bag made of jute or similar fabric.
No, 'gunnysack' is not standardly used as a verb. It is primarily a noun.
'Gunny' comes from the Hindi word 'gonī', meaning a coarse sacking material, typically made from jute.
No, it is considered low-frequency and somewhat dated, though still understood in contexts related to agriculture or historical settings.
A coarse, durable bag made of gunny (a fabric typically of jute or hemp), used for storing or transporting bulk goods such as grains, potatoes, or coffee.
Gunnysack is usually informal, regional (especially agricultural, historical) in register.
Gunnysack: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌn.i.sæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌn.i.sæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sack race (also called gunnysack race)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'gunny' rhyming with 'funny' – a funny-looking, rough sack used for potatoes.
Conceptual Metaphor
SIMPLICITY OR POVERTY IS A GUNNYSACK (e.g., 'living out of a gunnysack' implies a frugal, rough life).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'gunnysack' most appropriately used?