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Gutted — Meaning in NZ Slang

Gutted: Deeply disappointed — like being hollowed out. Pronunciation: GUT-id.

What does "Gutted" mean?

"Gutted" is how Kiwis describe genuine disappointment — the hollow-stomach feeling when something you cared about falls through. Missed the winning lotto numbers by one? Gutted. Team lost the final in the last minute? Gutted, the whole country. It's visceral by design: you feel it in the gut.

The word scales with tone. "Bit gutted" is manageable disappointment (the pie shop was shut). "Gutted" is real (didn't get the job). "Absolutely gutted" is reserved for the big ones — and "gutted for ya, bro" is Kiwi sympathy at its most sincere, acknowledging someone else's blow without making a drama of it.

Together with "stoked", gutted forms the two poles of the Kiwi emotional compass. Understatement culture means Kiwis rarely elaborate beyond it: "How'd the semi go?" "Gutted." Nothing more needs saying — the word carries the whole story.

Origin

British slang originally — to be gutted is to feel emptied out, like a fish on the filleting table — and it travelled to New Zealand where it became the standard word for real disappointment. Kiwi English embraced it hard: sports losses, missed flights and cancelled plans are all officially "gutting".

Examples

FAQs

What does "gutted" mean in NZ slang?
"Gutted" means deeply disappointed — the hollowed-out feeling when something you hoped for falls through. It's the standard Kiwi word for genuine letdown.
What does "gutted for ya" mean?
It's sincere Kiwi sympathy — "I'm genuinely sorry that happened to you." Understated but heartfelt, like most Kiwi emotional expression.
Is "gutted" a New Zealand word?
It's originally British slang, but NZ adopted it wholeheartedly. Alongside "stoked" (delighted), it's one of the two essential Kiwi emotion words.

Related NZ slang: Stoked | Munted | She'll be right | Sweet as

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