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 outlets giving these pronouncements the most airtime are Arabic news stations in the Gulf.

From The Daily Beast

But The Pinkprint gives little consideration to the gulf between her various musical selves.

From The Daily Beast

Sadly, laws throughout the Middle East—from North Africa to the Gulf—limit the rights of religious minorities and non-believers.

From The Daily Beast

In the south, the Gulf States view their Persian nuclear neighbor as a permanent archenemy.

From The Daily Beast

A sign that the Gulf States and/or Turkey told the White House they were getting out if the footsie continued?

From The Daily Beast

Two broad dormer windows looked out toward the Gulf, and as far across it as a man's eye might reach.

From Project Gutenberg

Her glance wandered from his face away toward the Gulf, whose sonorous murmur reached her like a loving but imperative entreaty.

From Project Gutenberg

There are two principal bays of vast size, one called the gulf of St. Lawrence, the other French bay.

From Project Gutenberg

But this port (to obviate misunderstanding) is not on the Ocean lying eastward, but on that gulf which I have called French bay.

From Project Gutenberg

On one hand is the yawning gulf of social catastrophe represented by socialism.

From Project Gutenberg