glug

American  

[gluhg] / glʌg /

verb (used without object)

glugged, glugging

1. to make the sound of liquid pouring from a bottle.

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noun

1. such a sound.

glug British  

/ ɡlʌɡ /

noun

1. a word representing a gurgling sound, as of liquid being poured from a bottle or swallowed

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Etymology

Origin of glug

First recorded in 1890–95; imitative

Explanation

When something glugs it makes the sloshing, gurgling sound of liquid being poured out of a bottle. You might glug some milk onto that sugary cereal and call it breakfast! There's a distinctive sound you make when you thirstily gulp water from a bottle or pour a healthy amount of olive oil into a pan: glug, glug, glug. This imitative, informal word comes from the Old English glub, "to swallow greedily." You can use it as a noun or a verb, so you might ask for a glug of syrup on your pancakes or glug an energy drink after a run on a hot day.

Example Sentences

Despite the care demands, the five-ply build makes this sturdy pan worth using, even if you’ll need a glug or two of oil as the coating wears.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

Toss the pasta until evenly coated in sauce, adding a few tablespoons of pasta water to the mixture to loosen, and a glug of olive oil for sheen.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2023

You could add a dab of cream cheese to your sauce or a glug of heavy cream.

From Washington Post • Mar. 9, 2023

Over time, chefs have tinkered with tradition, taking hachis from humble to haute, applying rigorous technique and using luxurious ingredients such as veal demi-glace, rib-eye and a glug of good Burgundy wine.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 28, 2023

There was the faint glug of wine being poured, a tinkle of decanter on glass rim, a murmur of thanks, and then Sir Charles seated himself on the sofa, inches away from Will.

From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman