guttural

adjective

gut·​tur·​al ˈgə-tə-rəl 

ˈgə-trəl

1

: articulated in the throat

guttural sounds

2

: velar

3

: being or marked by utterance that is strange, unpleasant, or disagreeable

guttural noun

gutturalism

ˈgə-tə-rə-ˌli-zəm 

ˈgə-trə-

noun

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Though it is now used to describe many sounds or utterances which strike the listener as harsh or disagreeable, the adjective guttural was originally applied only to sounds and utterances produced in the throat. This is reflected in the word's Latin root—guttur, meaning "throat." Despite the similarity in sound, guttural is not related to the English word gutter, which comes (by way of Anglo-French) from Latin gutta, meaning "drop."

Examples of guttural in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There were guttural screams, growling and drooling. —Ernesto Londoño Meridith Kohut, New York Times, 12 May 2024

Big Black, whose sound mixed guttural, distorted vocals, pounding industrial drums and buzzing guitars, never had a manager, booked their own tours and broke up on the eve of their second album’s release. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 8 May 2024

The vehicle turns completely over before the deer lets out a guttural roar. —Ryan Fish, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024

With her delivery of two long and guttural moos, Perry made Bryan break character. —Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024

He is eventually dragged away, but not before sticking his tongue out at the camera operator, letting out a guttural scream of celebration. —Ben Morse, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024

The guitars and bass bounce along to the beat as Clarkson digs deep in her lungs for the guttural notes of the pre-chorus and the lightness of the chorus. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 29 Feb. 2024

The booming voices of broadcasters can often be heard crackling on county roads and in backyards, as touchdowns elicit guttural cheers. —Eduardo Medina, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024

But the absence of full-effort reps hasn’t stopped Ray from making the guttural noise he’s become known for on all of his throws. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, probably from Medieval Latin gutturalis, from Latin guttur throat

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

guttural

adjective

gut·​tur·​al ˈgət-ə-rəl 

1

: formed or pronounced in the throat

guttural sounds

2

: formed with the back of the tongue touching or near the palate

guttural noun

gutturally

-rə-lē

adverb

Medical Definition

guttural

adjective

gut·​tur·​al ˈgət-ə-rəl, ˈgə-trəl 

: of or relating to the throat