gulf

[ guhlf ]

noun

1. a portion of an ocean or sea partly enclosed by land.
2. a deep hollow; chasm or abyss.

   Synonyms: split, rift, cleft, gully, gorge, canyon

3. any wide separation, as in position, status, or education.
4. something that engulfs or swallows up.

verb (used with object)

1. to swallow up; engulf.

Gulf

¹

/ ɡʌlf /

noun

1. the Persian Gulf
2. 1. the Gulf of Carpentaria
   2. modifier of, relating to, or adjoining the Gulf

      Gulf country

3. the Hauraki Gulf

gulf

²

/ ɡʌlf /

noun

1. a large deep bay
2. a deep chasm
3. something that divides or separates, such as a lack of understanding
4. something that engulfs, such as a whirlpool

verb

1. tr to swallow up; engulf

gulf

/ gŭlf /

1. A large body of ocean or sea water that is partly surrounded by land.

Derived Forms

• ˈgulfˌlike, adjective
• ˈgulfy, adjective

Other Words From

• gulflike adjective
• gulfy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gulf¹

1300–50; Middle English go ( u ) lf < Old French golfe < Italian golfo < Late Greek kólphos, Greek kólpos bosom, lap, bay

Word History and Origins

Origin of gulf¹

C14: from Old French golfe, from Italian golfo, from Greek kolpos

Example Sentences

The first set, with a huge gulf of quality between the 2021 US Open champion and 103rd-ranked Marino, required ruthlessness, but the second asked for patience and resilience.

From BBC

The small but influential gulf state is a key US ally in the region.

From BBC

The shallow river is a gulf neither the tourists nor the soldier can cross.

From BBC

However, New Zealand hammered his side 64-19 in Yokohama last weekend to further show the gulf in class when matched against the world's top sides.

From BBC

A wide gulf separates how Harris and Trump approach transportation, with potentially profound climate implications.

From Salon