Gullah

[ guhl-uh ]

/ ˈgʌl ə /

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noun

a member of a population of Black Americans inhabiting the Sea Islands and the coastal regions of South Carolina, Georgia, and northeastern Florida.

a creolized form of English spoken by the Gullahs, containing many words and grammatical features derived from African languages.

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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of Gullah

1730–40; of uncertain origin; variously identified with Angola or the Gola, a Liberian ethnic group

Words nearby Gullah

Gulf War, Gulf War syndrome, gulfweed, gulgul, gull, Gullah, gullet, gulley, gullible, Gulliver's Travels, Gullstrand

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Gullah in a sentence

Bill follows the rules of Gullah traditions when it comes to preparing food, starting with eating in season.
Explore Gullah Culture In Beaufort’s South Carolina’s Low Country|Charli Penn|September 30, 2020|Essence.com
If your time is limited but you still want to brush up on everything Gullah, the new Gullah Cultural Center located across from The Gullah Grub Restaurant, serves as a hub for all things Gullah and Geechie.
Explore Gullah Culture In Beaufort’s South Carolina’s Low Country|Charli Penn|September 30, 2020|Essence.com
Of a rich brown complexion, aquiline of feature, there is none of the "Gullah" about Henry.
Slave Narratives Vol. XIV. South Carolina, Part 1|Various
Gullah Jack eluded the search of the police until July 5th, when he too was struck by the huge slave asp.
Right on the Scaffold, or The Martyrs of 1822|Archibald H. Grimke

Gullah Jack was regarded as a sorcerer, and as such feared by the natives of Africa, who believe in witchcraft.
Right on the Scaffold, or The Martyrs of 1822|Archibald H. Grimke
Ten days later Gullah Jack suffered death on the gallows also.
Right on the Scaffold, or The Martyrs of 1822|Archibald H. Grimke
(in her deep feeling and excitement she lapsed into Gullah).
Slave Narratives Vol. XIV. South Carolina, Part 2|Works Projects Administration

British Dictionary definitions for Gullah

Gullah

/ (ˈɡʌlə) /

noun

plural -lahs or -lah a member of a Negroid people living on the Sea Islands or in the coastal regions of South Carolina, Georgia, and NE Florida

the creolized English spoken by these people

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012