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Synonyms

gat

1 American  
[gat] / gæt /

verb

Archaic.

  1. simple past tense of get.

gat 2 American  
[gat] / gæt /

noun

Older Slang.

  1. a pistol or revolver.

gat 3 American  
[gat] / gæt /

noun

  1. a passage or channel that extends inland from a shore through shoals, cliffs, etc.

gat 1 British  
/ ɡæt /

verb

  1. archaic a past tense of get

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
gat 2 British  
/ ɡæt /

noun

  1. slang a pistol or revolver

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
gat 3 British  
/ ɡæt /

noun

  1. a narrow channel of water

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of gat2

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900; shortening of Gatling gun

Origin of gat3

First recorded in 1715–25; from Old Norse gat “hole, opening”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The 37-year-old star appeared onstage wearing a traditional Korean hat known as a "gat", featured in Netflix's animated megahit "KPop Demon Hunters".

From Barron's • Nov. 1, 2025

They’re often depicted in traditional black hanbok and tall gat hats, which explains the Saja Boys’ costuming later in the movie.

From Salon • Jun. 29, 2025

In this Bonnie & Clyde, female ambition is more dangerous than a loaded gat.

From Slate • Dec. 6, 2013

As Bogart aged, he lost his defiance, leaving Warner Brothers for Columbia and trading his gat for a bow tie.

From New York Times • Oct. 8, 2010

I needed food sadly, while even worse than hunger was the thirst that presently gat hold of me.

From The Coming of the King by Hocking, James

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.