coulee: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Regional
Quick answer
What does “coulee” mean?
A deep ravine or gulch, often dry except during heavy rains, or a solidified lava flow.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A deep ravine or gulch, often dry except during heavy rains, or a solidified lava flow.
In North American geography, it refers specifically to a steep-sided, often dry valley or channel formed by water erosion, particularly in the northwestern US and Canada. In geology, it denotes a thick, pasty lava flow with a rough, blocky surface.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively used in North American English, particularly in the US and Canada. In British English, equivalent terms like 'ravine', 'gorge', or 'guilty' are used for the geographical feature, and 'lava flow' for the geological one.
Connotations
In North America, it often carries regional, geographical, or geological specificity. In British English, it is a very rare, learned term with no particular regional connotation.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in British English. Low but recognizable frequency in specific North American regional and technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “coulee” in a Sentence
The [geographical feature] is a coulee.The [lava flow] formed a coulee.We hiked down into the coulee.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coulee” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not used as a verb]
American English
- [Not used as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not used as an adjective]
American English
- The coulee landscape was stark and beautiful.
- They studied the coulee formation process.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in geology, physical geography, and regional studies papers.
Everyday
Used only in specific regions of North America when discussing local topography.
Technical
Standard term in volcanology for a specific type of thick, slow-moving lava flow (e.g., 'aa coulee').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coulee”
- Misspelling as 'coolie' (which is an offensive historical term for a labourer).
- Pronouncing it /ˈkaʊli/ (like 'cow').
- Using it generically for any valley outside its specific regional/technical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word. It is common only in specific regional dialects of North America (like in Washington state or Alberta) and in technical fields like geology and geography.
A coulee is typically smaller, shallower, and often dry, formed by water erosion or lava. A canyon is usually larger, deeper, and carved over a longer period by a major river (e.g., the Grand Canyon).
No, 'coulee' is exclusively a noun in modern English. There is no standard verb form.
It comes from Canadian French 'coulée', meaning 'a flow' or 'something that flows', from the verb 'couler' ('to flow'). This reflects its origins describing both water-eroded channels and lava flows.
A deep ravine or gulch, often dry except during heavy rains, or a solidified lava flow.
Coulee is usually technical/regional in register.
Coulee: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkuːleɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkuːli/ or /kuːˈleɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms found for this low-frequency, technical word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'COOL Lava' flowing slowly to form a rough, blocky COULEE. Or, a COULEE is a valley you COULd fall into.
Conceptual Metaphor
EARTH'S SCAR (for the erosional feature); SOLIDIFIED RIVER OF FIRE (for the lava flow).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is 'coulee' a standard technical term?