Sewer has more than one meaning, but it is most often used for a pipeA tube that moves liquids or gases from one place to another. or channelA narrow passage for moving water or other fluids. that carries waste water away. It can also mean a person who sewsMakes or repairs clothing using a needle and thread..
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈsuːɚ/
Easy pronunciation: SOO-er (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Primary sense: a pipe or channel that carries dirty water and waste away.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Sewer Meaning
a pipe or channel that carries dirty water and waste away
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a waste pipe or channel that carries away sewage or surface water
Example: The rainwater flowed into the sewer.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- cloaca — A biological term that can refer to a common drainage passage, but it is not a normal everyday substitute.
- sewerage — Refers to the system of sewers, not usually a single sewer pipe.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Sewer
Meaning 2
a bad situation that causes wasted effort or money
Part of speech: noun
Definition: misfortune resulting in lost effort or money
Example: All that work went down the sewer.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- gutter — Used figuratively in some contexts, but not as direct or standard a substitute for this sense.
- toilet — Can appear in a figurative expression, but it is not a true synonym of this sense.
Meaning 3
a person who makes or repairs clothes with a needle and thread
Part of speech: noun
Definition: someone who sews
Example: She was known as a skilled sewer of fine gowns.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Sewer Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- cloaca
- sewerage
misfortune resulting in lost effort or money
- gutter
- toilet
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse sewer with sewed or sewing.
- Do not mix up sewer the drainage pipe with sewer the person who sews.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sewer mean?
Sewer usually means a pipe or channel that carries away sewage or runoff water. It can also mean a person who sews.
What are the synonyms of sewer?
For the drainage meaning, possible synonyms include cloaca and sewerage in limited contexts. For the figurative money-waste sense, gutter and toilet may appear, but they are not strong everyday synonyms.
Is sewer the same as someone who sews?
Yes, sewer can also mean a person who sews, though this sense is less common in everyday use.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.