gulf: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal
Quick answer
What does “gulf” mean?
A large area of sea partly enclosed by land, significantly larger than a bay.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large area of sea partly enclosed by land, significantly larger than a bay.
A profound and wide difference or division, especially in opinion, belief, or understanding, between two groups of people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Spelling conventions ('ise' vs 'ize') apply to derivative words like 'gulfing' but not to 'gulf' itself.
Connotations
Neutral for both physical and metaphorical senses in both varieties.
Frequency
Both senses are used with comparable frequency in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “gulf” in a Sentence
The gulf between X and Ya gulf in X (understanding/beliefs)to bridge/cross/span the gulfVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gulf” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The new policy threatens to gulf the two communities further.
- The landslide gulfed the entire coastal road.
American English
- The scandal gulfed the two political parties in mutual distrust.
- Floodwaters gulfed the low-lying fields.
adverb
British English
- Not a standard adverbial form; 'gulf-like' is used descriptively.
American English
- Not a standard adverbial form; used in compounds like 'gulf-ward'.
adjective
British English
- Gulf-coast properties are vulnerable to storms.
- The gulf-stream current affects our climate.
American English
- Gulf-state economies are often oil-dependent.
- Gulf-front hotels command higher prices.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to disparities in performance, pay, or market understanding (e.g., 'the gulf between executive and average worker pay').
Academic
Used in social sciences to describe ideological, economic, or cultural divides (e.g., 'the gulf in educational attainment').
Everyday
Common for describing disagreements or differences in relationships or opinions (e.g., 'a gulf in our perspectives').
Technical
In geography/oceanography, refers to the specific physical feature. In aviation, 'gulf stream' is a specific term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gulf”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gulf”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gulf”
- Using 'gulf' for a small or insignificant difference (overstatement).
- Confusing 'gulf' (large sea inlet) with 'bay' (smaller).
- Spelling: 'gulph' is archaic and incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A gulf is generally larger and more deeply indented into the coastline than a bay, which is smaller and wider at its opening.
Yes, but it is rare and literary. It means to engulf or swallow up, or to create a wide separation.
Yes, it refers to the war (1990-1991) that took place in the region of the Persian Gulf.
Look at the context. If it's preceded by 'of' and a geographical name (Gulf of Mexico), it's literal. If it's followed by 'between' abstract entities (gulf between generations), it's metaphorical.
A large area of sea partly enclosed by land, significantly larger than a bay.
Gulf is usually neutral to formal in register.
Gulf: in British English it is pronounced /ɡʌlf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡʌlf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bridge the gulf”
- “A yawning gulf”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'Gulf' of Mexico separating land masses; similarly, a 'gulf' in opinion separates people.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIFFERENCES ARE GAPS/DISTANCES (the gulf between rich and poor).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following uses of 'gulf' is metaphorical?