gun

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'gun' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to any device that fires bullets or other projectiles, such as a rifle or handgun. For example, "The criminal was carrying a gun".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While no gun was found on him, a handgun in a sock was discovered on grassland about four metres (14ft) from his body.

The Guardian

All that is to say, I am sympathetic to the notion that I may need to handle a gun some day.

The Guardian - Opinion

I also think I could take a zombie out with an ax better than with a gun.

The Guardian - Opinion

In light of all the gun violence we have seen in recent months, I have come to believe that in the very worst scenario – the US becoming a dystopian dictatorship with food riots, total censorship, zombies and Sarah Palin – it is the latter that has a better chance of saving my life and less likelihood of getting me killed.

The Guardian - Opinion

A majority of jurors said the gun had been discarded by Duggan before he was shot.

The Guardian

The IPCC said the most "plausible" explanation for the location of the gun was that Duggan "was in the process of throwing it to his right as he was shot".

The Guardian

Community activist Stafford Scott said "we are very disappointed" and called for a public inquiry into why police did not remove the gun from the streets when its existence was first reported to them.

The Guardian

Ebrahimi is said to have admitted to killing her husband with his own gun before burying him in the garden.

The Guardian

He's put down his gun and raced ahead of us.

The Guardian

What the Castlederg controversy tells us is that in the quest for a proper post-conflict truth and reconciliation process even history is a loaded gun.

The Guardian

Paul also gave a hint of the liberatarian politics likely to feature in his run for presidential office in 2016, attacking government telephone surveillance and praising Cucinelli for his defence of free speech, privacy and gun rights.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about firearms, be precise in your language. Use specific terms like "rifle", "pistol", or "handgun" instead of the generic "gun" when detail is important.

Common error

Avoid using "gun" as a catch-all term for all types of firearms. Using precise terminology like "rifle", "shotgun", or "handgun" can improve clarity and accuracy in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gun" is as a noun, referring to a device that projects a projectile. As shown in Ludwig, it is frequently used in news and media to describe firearms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "gun" is a common noun primarily used to refer to a firearm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in English. Its usage is particularly frequent in news and media, often in the context of reporting on crime, violence, or policy debates. While "gun" is a generally acceptable term, it's advisable to use more specific terms like "rifle" or "handgun" for greater precision. Related terms include "firearm", a more formal alternative, and slang terms like "gat" depending on context. It's crucial to maintain accuracy and avoid generalizations when discussing firearms to ensure clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

firearm

Refers specifically to a weapon that uses gunpowder to propel a projectile, often implying a more formal or technical context.

handgun

Specifically denotes a firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand.

pistol

Similar to handgun, but can also refer to historical or less common types of hand-held firearms.

rifle

A long-barreled firearm designed for accurate shooting, often used in hunting or military contexts.

weapon

A more general term that encompasses any device used to inflict harm, of which a gun is one type.

ordnance

Refers to military weaponry, including guns and ammunition, often used in a collective sense.

long arm

Describes a firearm with a longer barrel, like a rifle or shotgun, typically requiring two hands to operate.

shooter

Informal term for a gun or a person who uses a gun.

gat

Slang term for a gun, mainly used in informal contexts.

blaster

Informal, sometimes playful term for a gun; may also refer to fictional energy weapons.

FAQs

How to use "gun" in a sentence?

The word "gun" is typically used as a noun to refer to a firearm or a device that projects a projectile. For example, "The police officer carried a gun" or "He aimed the gun at the target".

What can I say instead of "gun"?

You can use alternatives like "firearm", "handgun", "pistol", or "rifle" depending on the specific type of weapon you are referring to.

Which is correct, "gun" or "firearm"?

"Gun" and "firearm" are both correct, but "firearm" is a more formal and technical term. "Gun" is more commonly used in everyday language.

What's the difference between "gun" and "weapon"?

"Weapon" is a broader term that refers to any device used to inflict harm, while "gun" specifically refers to a firearm. A "gun" is a type of weapon, but not all weapons are guns.