gully

1 of 3

noun (1)

gul·​ly ˈgu̇-lē How to pronounce gully (audio) ˈgə- How to pronounce gully (audio)
plural gullies
dialectal British
: a large knife

gully

2 of 3

noun (2)

gul·​ly ˈgə-lē How to pronounce gully (audio)
variants or less commonly gulley
plural gullies
1
: a trench which was originally worn in the earth by running water and through which water often runs after rains
2
: a small valley or gulch

gully

3 of 3

verb

gul·​ly ˈgə-lē How to pronounce gully (audio)
gullied; gullying

transitive verb

: to make gullies in

intransitive verb

: to undergo erosion : form gullies

Examples of gully in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Footage seemingly shot by a nearby worker showed a massive wave of earth rushing down a gully, engulfing everything in its path. Andrew Wilks, Quartz, 13 Feb. 2024 What once was a gully has been transformed into a floral paradise. Anna Haines, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 Earlier on Saturday, businesses in Cabo San Lucas nailed up sheets of plywood over their windows, and government personnel hung up banners warning people not to try to cross gullies and stream beds after Norma regained strength and once again became a major storm Friday. CBS News, 21 Oct. 2023 The victim was swept into a gully and through brush and trees, then remained buried for about 15 minutes before being found by a companion in the mountains south of Alpine, Wyoming, on Sunday afternoon, according to the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center. CBS News, 17 Jan. 2024 The tree line ends at 1,500 feet, so unlike in the northeast or the Rockies the view consisted only of icy cornices, peaks, and gullies sheathed in a penetrating blanket of snow. David Amsden, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2024 Williams rode past the grounds of Maymont and stopped at the head of a steep gully that drains into the river. Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 27 Dec. 2023 Dramatic photos show the steep gully with what looks like clouds obstructing the peak. Brooke Baitinger, Idaho Statesman, 6 Feb. 2024 Fill gullies, check for erosion, note places that need to be filled or need drains installed or diverters placed. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gully.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

short for English dialect gully knife

Noun (2)

obsolete English gully gullet, probably alteration of Middle English golet ravine, throat

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1582, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1754, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of gully was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near gully

Cite this Entry

“Gully.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gully. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

gully

noun
gul·​ly
ˈgəl-ē
plural gullies
: a trench worn in the earth by running water after rains
gully verb

More from Merriam-Webster on gully

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