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

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

There’s a vast gulf between senior executives’ and workers’ actual experience with generative AI, according to a new survey of 5,000 white-collar workers from AI consulting firm Section.

From The Wall Street Journal

The lizards had satisfied their curiosity, but there was still a big gulf in social status between them and a hawk.

From Literature

The gulf between senior executives’ and workers’ actual experience with generative AI is vast, according to a new survey from the AI consulting firm Section of 5,000 white-collar workers.

From The Wall Street Journal