verb
gulp
guhlp
verb
1
To swallow quickly and in large amounts.
"He gulped down his coffee before running out the door."
"She gulped the water after the long run."
2
To swallow nervously as a sign of fear or anxiety.
"He gulped when the boss asked who broke the printer."
noun
1
A large swallow, or the amount swallowed at once.
"She finished the drink in a single gulp."
How to Use Gulp
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo swallow something quickly, or a nervous swallow that shows fear.
Common pairings
gulp down
take a gulp
gulp air
Word Forms
gulped past tense, gulps plural, gulps singular
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Etymology
From Middle English gulpen, probably of imitative origin, related to Dutch and German words for gushing or gulping.