gulp

American  

[guhlp] / gʌlp /

verb (used without object)

1. to gasp or choke, as when taking large drafts of a liquid.

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verb (used with object)

1. to swallow eagerly, or in large drafts or morsels (often followed bydown ).

   He gulps down his food like a starving man.

   Synonyms:

   guzzle, devour, bolt, quaff, gobble, wolf

2. to suppress, subdue, or choke back as if by swallowing.

   to gulp down a sob.

noun

1. the act of gulping.

   He drank the whole bottle of beer in one gulp.

2. the amount swallowed at one time; mouthful.

gulp British  

/ ɡʌlp /

verb

1. to swallow rapidly, esp in large mouthfuls

   to gulp down food

2. to stifle or choke

   to gulp back sobs

3. (intr) to swallow air convulsively, as while drinking, because of nervousness, surprise, etc

4. (intr) to make a noise, as when swallowing too quickly

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noun

1. the act of gulping

2. the quantity taken in a gulp

Other Word Forms

• gulper noun
• gulpingly adverb
• gulpy adjective

Etymology

Origin of gulp

1400–50; late Middle English gulpen (v.); compare Dutch gulpen, Norwegian glupa

Example Sentences

Again, it's not just the losses that might be making some Celtic fans gulp.

From BBC

I gulp, but I push my fear as far down as it will go.

From Literature

“Yes, my lord,” Penelope answered with a gulp.

From Literature

“The money question remains as to how many barrels vacated by India will be gulped up by the Chinese teapots,” Raj said.

From MarketWatch

Runcie, a former arts columnist for the Daily Telegraph, has created something so delightfully snackable that you may, as I did, gulp it down in two or three sittings.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• consume
• gobble
• guzzle
• imbibe
• inhale
• quaff
• swallow
• swig
• swill