gollop: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/RegionalVery informal, colloquial, dialectal
Quick answer
What does “gollop” mean?
To eat or drink something quickly and greedily, often in a messy or noisy manner.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To eat or drink something quickly and greedily, often in a messy or noisy manner.
To consume hastily; to devour. Can also be used metaphorically to describe absorbing or taking in something (e.g., information) voraciously.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is almost exclusively British, originating from southwestern dialects. It is virtually unknown and unused in standard American English.
Connotations
In the UK, it is a rustic, informal word, often used humorously. In the US, it is effectively a non-word.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency even in the UK, mostly found in dialect literature or humorous/archaic use.
Grammar
How to Use “gollop” in a Sentence
[Subject] gollops [Object][Subject] gollops down [Object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gollop” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Don't just gollop your tea, you'll burn yourself.
- He golloped down the pasty in three bites.
American English
- Not applicable in standard AmE.
adverb
British English
- None
American English
- None
adjective
British English
- None
American English
- None
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Only in very specific, informal UK contexts, often for humorous emphasis.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gollop”
- Spelling: 'gollup', 'gallop'.
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming it is a standard English word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a regional (chiefly southwestern British) dialect word considered very informal and colloquial.
Yes, it can describe consuming either quickly and greedily (e.g., 'gollop a sandwich', 'gollop a pint of cider').
It strongly implies noisy, messy, or unmannered consumption, often with a humorous or mildly critical tone.
They are semantically very close and may share an onomatopoeic origin, but they are distinct words. 'Gulp' is standard; 'gollop' is dialectal.
To eat or drink something quickly and greedily, often in a messy or noisy manner.
Gollop is usually very informal, colloquial, dialectal in register.
Gollop: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɒləp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɑləp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GOLlath who GULPS his food down -> GOLLOP.
Conceptual Metaphor
EATING IS VORACIOUS CONSUMPTION (animal-like).
Practice
Quiz
Which word is the closest synonym to 'gollop' in the sentence: 'He golloped the pie'?