gulf

American  

[guhlf] / gʌlf /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to swallow up; engulf.

Gulf ¹ British  

/ 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

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gulf ² British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (tr) to swallow up; engulf

gulf Scientific  

/ gŭlf /

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

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Other Word Forms

• gulflike adjective
• gulfy adjective

Etymology

Origin of gulf

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

Example Sentences

In New York, the tech industry is driving local economic growth like never before -- but it is also widening the gulf between the haves and have-nots.

From Barron's

It also has an overwhelmingly positive 99% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes - but there is a big gulf between that and its 10% score from film critics.

From BBC

Described as one of “Clearwater Beach’s most coveted waterfront estates,” the property sits directly on “sugar-white sands,” providing instant access to the gulf and stunning views from every room.

From MarketWatch

Though there were no deaths or injuries, experts say the gulf could extend -- and topple more houses -- when it rains again.

From Barron's

But the gulf between public opinion and civil culpability is vast, attorneys for the platforms say.

From Los Angeles Times