WordGarden.iogamut
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɡˈæmʌt/
US
- /ˈɡæmət/
Meanings
Noun
the complete range or extent of something
the full range of notes in a musical scale, voice, or instrument
Beyond the definition
This word refers to the complete range of something, from one end to the other. Think of a piano: it has a full range of notes, from the lowest bass to the highest treble. If someone says they ran the gamut of emotions, it means they felt many different emotions, from one extreme to another.
The word comes from music theory, where it originally meant the range of notes in medieval scales. Now it is used more broadly. A chef might work with the full range of spices, or a politician might talk about the full range of issues facing the public. It is about covering everything within a particular area.
Imagine an artist mixing paints. They do not choose just one color; they explore the whole range, from bright reds and yellows to deep blues and greens. That complete range of colors is close to what this word means. It refers to the full scope or range of something, including all the possibilities between its extremes.
Originally, "gamut" came from medieval music theory and referred to the range of notes in a musical scale, in other words, all the pitches a singer or instrument could reach. Over time, the meaning became broader. Now we use "gamut" for any complete set or range.
You might say someone "ran the gamut of emotions" after a dramatic event, meaning they felt everything from joy and excitement to sadness and despair. A company facing challenges might need to explore the full gamut of solutions before finding one that works. A skilled negotiator may consider the entire gamut of possible outcomes before entering talks.
So, if you are talking about covering all bases, exploring every option, or moving through a complete range of something, this word fits well. It suggests completeness within a defined area.
Examples
- 1
Magazine topics
The magazine covers the full gamut of topics, from politics to pop culture.
- 2
Hospital services
The hospital provides a gamut of services for older patients.
- 3
Public reaction
Public reactions to the new law ran the gamut from relief to outrage.
- Patternrun the gamut from X to Y
include the whole range between two extremes
- 4
Family relationships
Her new novel explores the whole gamut of family relationships.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Emotional range
Over the next few weeks, she went through the full gamut of emotions.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- narrow range
- subset
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- run the gamut
- the full gamut of
- from one end of the gamut to the other
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- gamutnoun
Forms
- gamutspluralnoun