gulf

1 of 2

noun

ˈgəlf 

1

: a part of an ocean or sea extending into the land

2

: a deep chasm : abyss

3

: whirlpool

4

: a wide gap

the gulf between generations

gulf

2 of 2

verb

gulfed; gulfing; gulfs

transitive verb

: engulf

Synonyms of gulf

Noun

• bay
• estuary
• cove
• firth

Verb

• flood
• engulf
• overwhelm

Examples of gulf in a Sentence

Noun

we dipped our feet in the warm waters of the gulf

the gulf of understanding between the two men was too wide for them to ever get along

Verb

with the administration gulfed by so many real problems, it's absurd for the president to concern himself with this nonissue

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The attempt to rename the gulf, which has gone by the same name since the 16th Century, drew international opposition, and numerous media outlets vowed to stick with the common and internationally recognized usage. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

At the foot of the gulf, the village of Grimaud is crowned with remnants of a medieval castle, and its winding alleys are adorned with bright bougainvilleas. — Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2026

Verb

The Anna Bowden of this Cape Fear bridges that gulf a little. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English goulf, from Middle French golfe, from Italian golfo, from Late Latin colpus, from Greek kolpos bosom, gulf; akin to Old English hwealf vault, Old High German walbo

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1807, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gulf

• gulph
• engulf

Kids Definition

gulf

noun

ˈgəlf

1

: a part of an ocean or sea extending into the land

2

: a deep hollow in the earth : chasm, abyss

3

: a difference between two people, groups, or things