guttersnipe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary, Archaic, Pejorative
Quick answer
What does “guttersnipe” mean?
A child who is poor, dirty, and often homeless, living on the streets and surviving by begging or petty crime.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A child who is poor, dirty, and often homeless, living on the streets and surviving by begging or petty crime.
A person, especially a child, of the lowest social class, characterized by uncouth, vulgar, or streetwise behavior; can be used as a derogatory term for someone perceived as coarse or lacking refinement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated and was more common in British English, reflecting 19th-century London street life. In American English, it is recognized but feels more like a borrowed literary term.
Connotations
In both varieties, it is pejorative and archaic. British usage may retain a slightly stronger historical resonance with Dickensian imagery.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary spoken language in both regions. Found primarily in historical fiction, period dramas, or as a deliberate, old-fashioned insult.
Grammar
How to Use “guttersnipe” in a Sentence
He was nothing but a [guttersnipe].She called him a [guttersnipe].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “guttersnipe” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The novel does not use 'guttersnipe' as a verb.
American English
- The term is not used as a verb in standard English.
adverb
British English
- The term is not used as an adverb.
American English
- No adverbial form exists.
adjective
British English
- He had a certain guttersnipe charm about him.
American English
- She was offended by his guttersnipe manners.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical or sociological texts discussing 19th-century urban poverty.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would be considered a very old-fashioned or theatrical insult.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “guttersnipe”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “guttersnipe”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guttersnipe”
- Using it in a modern, neutral context; misspelling as 'gutter snipe' (though historically sometimes written as two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered archaic and is rarely used in everyday modern English. It is primarily encountered in historical contexts or literature.
While its core meaning refers to a child, it is often used figuratively for an adult to imply they have the crude manners or low social standing associated with a street child.
They are very close synonyms. 'Guttersnipe' can feel more derogatory and specific to the gutter (sewer), while 'street urchin' is slightly more neutral and descriptive.
Yes, it is a strong pejorative term that insults a person's social class, cleanliness, and manners. It should be avoided in polite conversation.
A child who is poor, dirty, and often homeless, living on the streets and surviving by begging or petty crime.
Guttersnipe is usually literary, archaic, pejorative in register.
Guttersnipe: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌtəsnʌɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌt̬ɚsnaɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a child (SNIPE) pecking for scraps in the GUTTER of a street.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOW STATUS IS PHYSICAL LOWLINESS (living in the gutter).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'guttersnipe' be LEAST appropriate?