gallup: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Media
Quick answer
What does “gallup” mean?
a public opinion poll conducted systematically to measure trends or sentiment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a public opinion poll conducted systematically to measure trends or sentiment.
Refers specifically to the type of public opinion survey developed by George Gallup; by extension, can refer to any statistical measurement of public opinion, often associated with political or social topics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties. The term originates from an American institution but is widely recognized and used in British English contexts.
Connotations
Connotes reliability, scientific methodology, and authoritative measurement of public opinion. In political contexts, it may carry connotations of influencing political strategy.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to the prominence of the Gallup Organization in US media, but the term is well-established in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “gallup” in a Sentence
[The/This/A] gallup [poll/survey] [shows/indicates/finds] that...According to a recent gallup, ...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gallup” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Gallup figures were released yesterday.
- We need to commission a Gallup-style survey.
American English
- The Gallup data suggests a shift in priorities.
- He cited a Gallup poll from last quarter.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to refer to market sentiment surveys or employee engagement surveys conducted by the Gallup Organization.
Academic
Used in political science, sociology, and media studies to discuss methodologies and findings of public opinion research.
Everyday
Used in news reports discussing political or social trends. (e.g., 'The latest Gallup shows a drop in approval ratings.')
Technical
Refers specifically to surveys using Gallup's methodological framework, including sampling and questionnaire design.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gallup”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gallup”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gallup”
- Using 'gallup' as a common verb (e.g., 'They will gallup the population' is non-standard).
- Misspelling as 'gallop'.
- Using indefinite article with the proper noun when referring to the organization (e.g., 'a Gallup' is incorrect for the company).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not standard to use 'gallup' as a verb. Use 'to poll' or 'to survey' instead.
Yes, when referring to the Gallup Organization or its specific polls, it is a proper noun and must be capitalised. When used generically (rare), it may appear in lowercase (e.g., 'a gallup poll'), but capitalisation is still common.
The Gallup Organization is primarily known for its public opinion polls on politics, economics, and wellbeing, but it also conducts extensive workplace and management consulting research.
Gallup polls are generally considered reliable due to their long-standing methodology and scientific sampling techniques, though, like all polls, they have a margin of error and can be influenced by factors like question wording and timing.
a public opinion poll conducted systematically to measure trends or sentiment.
Gallup is usually formal, academic, media in register.
Gallup: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡæləp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡæləp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'gallop' - a horse running to measure a track. A 'Gallup' runs a survey to measure public opinion.
Conceptual Metaphor
PUBLIC OPINION IS A MEASURABLE LANDSCAPE (to poll is to map; figures are coordinates).
Practice
Quiz
What does the term 'Gallup' most specifically refer to?