gulf

[ guhlf ]
/ gʌlf /

noun

a portion of an ocean or sea partly enclosed by land.
a deep hollow; chasm or abyss.
any wide separation, as in position, status, or education.
something that engulfs or swallows up.

verb (used with object)

to swallow up; engulf.

Origin of gulf

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

OTHER WORDS FROM gulf

gulf·like, adjective gulf·y, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH gulf

bay cove gulf inlet

Example sentences from the Web for gulf

British Dictionary definitions for gulf (1 of 2)

gulf
/ (ɡʌlf) /

noun

a large deep bay
a deep chasm
something that divides or separates, such as a lack of understanding
something that engulfs, such as a whirlpool

verb

(tr) to swallow up; engulf

Derived forms of gulf

gulflike, adjective gulfy, adjective

Word Origin for gulf

C14: from Old French golfe, from Italian golfo, from Greek kolpos

British Dictionary definitions for gulf (2 of 2)

Gulf
/ (ɡʌlf) /

noun the Gulf

the Persian Gulf
Australian
  1. the Gulf of Carpentaria
  2. (modifier) of, relating to, or adjoining the GulfGulf country
NZ the Hauraki Gulf

Scientific definitions for gulf

gulf
[ gŭlf ]

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