What does 'gutted' mean in British English?

What it means: Deeply, genuinely disappointed. Not mildly let down - properly devastated by something. It's one of the strongest everyday words for disappointment in British English.

"I'm gutted" = "I'm really gutted about this" = something happened that seriously disappointed me.

Why this word: "Gutted" literally means having the insides removed (as in cleaning a fish). The metaphor is visceral - the feeling of disappointment is like having something taken out of you. It emerged in British slang in the late 20th century and is now completely standard.

• "I'm absolutely gutted we lost."
• "She was gutted when she didn't get the job."
• "Gutted for you - I know how much you wanted that."

Intensity: You can intensify it - "absolutely gutted" or "properly gutted" - but "gutted" alone is already strong.

• "Devastated" - formal version
• "Heartbroken" - specifically about personal or emotional loss
• "Crushed" - similar intensity
• "Really disappointed" - neutral, works everywhere

Register: Informal British English. An American would understand it but probably wouldn't say it. Not suitable for formal writing.

Tags: British English, slang, feelings, disappointment, informal