What does guttural mean?
Word: Guttural
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Guttural means sounding harsh and deep, as if made at the back of the throat.
How do you spell guttural?
Syllables: gut - tur - al
Tricky part: The vowel after the double t is a u, though the noun gutter tempts pupils to write gutteral.
Watch out for: gutteral, guttaral
Memory tip: Say a deep 'ugh' from the back of your mouth. Its u is the vowel that follows the double t.
Guttural in a sentence
Example 1: The old engine gave a guttural cough and finally started.
Example 2: Some languages use guttural sounds that English speakers find hard to copy.
Example 3: He cleared his throat with a low, guttural noise before he began to read.
Fun Fact
Its Latin parent was simply the word for throat. The ch in the Scottish word loch, said the Scottish way, is a well-known example of a guttural sound.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct letters to form a word:
g_ttur_l
a) o, a
b) u, e
c) u, a
d) a, e
Show answer
c) u, a. The first vowel is the u of gum, and the word closes with al, as vocal does.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
gutturral
a) a
b) r
c) l
d) t
Show answer
b) r. The second syllable ends in one r, never two.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters to find the word that fits the sentence:
The old boatman spoke in a deep rtugtlua voice that seemed to rise from low in his chest.
a) guttural
b) cultural
c) gradual
d) natural
Show answer
a) guttural. The jumble has two t's and two u's, which only one option can match.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. guttural 2. larinx 3. pronounciation 4. dialekt
a) rough and rasping in sound
b) the part of the neck that holds the vocal cords
c) a form of a language used in one area
d) the way a word is said aloud
Show answer
a) rough and rasping in sound. Larynx ends in ynx, pronunciation has no o after the n, and dialect ends in ct.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which sound best fits the word guttural?
a) the light tinkle of glass bells
b) the soft rustle of dry leaves
c) the low, rattling groan of a camel
d) the high whistle of a small bird
Show answer
c) the low, rattling groan of a camel
2. A storyteller puts on a guttural voice for one character. Who suits it best?
a) a tiny singing cricket
b) a shy little sparrow
c) a gruff old mountain giant
d) a cheerful young flute player
Show answer
c) a gruff old mountain giant
