noun
Common
gulf
guhlf
Gulf (noun) means a large area of sea partly enclosed by land. Example: “The Gulf of Mexico borders several US states.”
noun
1
A large area of sea partly enclosed by land.
"The Gulf of Mexico borders several US states."
"Fishing boats sailed out across the gulf at sunrise."
"Warm water in the gulf makes it popular with swimmers."
2
A wide gap or significant difference between two things, especially people or groups.
"A wide gulf separates the two candidates' views on the economy."
"There is a growing gulf between rich and poor in the region."
"A gulf in understanding grew between the old manager and the new staff."
3
A deep hollow or chasm in the ground.
"The hikers peered nervously into the gulf below the ridge."
"A narrow bridge crossed the gulf between the two cliffs."
"The rope vanished into the dark gulf beneath the climbers."
How to use gulf
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA large inlet of the sea, or figuratively a big gap or difference between two things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
gulf between
gulf of understanding
bridge the gulf
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Word forms
- Plural
- gulfs
- Third person singular
- gulfs
- Past tense
- gulfed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of Mexico borders several US states.
Etymology
From Old French golf, from Italian golfo, ultimately from Ancient Greek kolpos ("bosom, gulf").
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “gulf” mean?
The word “gulf” means a large area of sea partly enclosed by land. In plain terms, a large inlet of the sea, or figuratively a big gap or difference between two things.
How do you pronounce “gulf”?
“Gulf” is pronounced guhlf (/ɡʌlf/ in IPA).
How do you use “gulf” in a sentence?
Here is “gulf” used in a sentence: “The Gulf of Mexico borders several US states.”
What part of speech is “gulf”?
“Gulf” is a noun.
Where does the word “gulf” come from?
The word “gulf” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old French golf, from Italian golfo, ultimately from Ancient Greek kolpos ("bosom, gulf").
Is “gulf” a common word?
“Gulf” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “gulf” have?
“Gulf” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large area of sea partly enclosed by land.
What is the difference between a "gulf" and a "bay"?
Both a gulf and a bay are areas of sea partly enclosed by land, but a gulf is usually larger and cuts more deeply into the coastline than a bay. In figurative use, "gulf" also means a wide gap or difference between people or groups, a sense that "bay" does not carry.
When should you use "gulf" instead of "gap" to describe a difference?
Use "gulf" when you want to stress that a difference is very wide and hard to bridge, as in "a gulf between rich and poor." "Gap" is more neutral and can describe smaller differences that are more easily closed.
Is "gulf" capitalised in names like the Gulf of Mexico?
Yes. When "Gulf" forms part of a specific place name such as the Gulf of Mexico or the Persian Gulf, it takes a capital G. When it refers generally to any large inlet of sea, it stays lowercase.
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