gulf

UK: 'gulf', 'Gulf': /ˈɡʌlf/ US: /gʌlf/ ,(gulf )

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

gulf /gʌlf/   n. [countable]

1. Oceanography a portion of an ocean or sea partly enclosed by land.
2. any wide gap or difference between two or more things, as between individuals with respect to social status, opinions, etc.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

gulf  (gulf ), n. 

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

v.t. 

5. to swallow up;
   engulf.

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

gulf′like′, adj. 
gulf′y, adj. 
Synonyms

• 2. canyon, gorge, gully, cleft, rift, split.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

gulf / ɡʌlf/ noun

1. a large deep bay
2. a deep chasm
3. something that divides or separates, such as a lack of understanding
4. something that engulfs, such as a whirlpool

verb

1. (transitive) to swallow up; engulf

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French golfe, from Italian golfo, from Greek kolpos

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Gulf / ɡʌlf/ noun the Gulf ⇒

1. another name for the Persian Gulf
2. the Gulf of Mexico
3. the Gulf of Carpentaria
4. the Hauraki Gulf/Tīkapa Moana