Meaning

A hollow place in the earth; an abyss; a deep chasm or basin..

Definitions by Sense

1. A hollow place in the earth; an abyss; a deep chasm or basin.
2. (obsolete) That which swallows; the gullet.
3. That which swallows irretrievably; a whirlpool; a sucking eddy.
4. (geography) A portion of an ocean or sea extending into the land; a partially landlocked sea
5. (mining) A large deposit of ore in a lode.
6. (figurative) A wide interval or gap; a separating space.
7. (figurative) A difference, especially a large difference, between groups.
8. (Oxbridge slang) The bottom part of a list of those awarded a degree, for those who have only just passed.

Example Sentences

He then surveyed / Hell and the gulf between.

Of course, there was no arguing against this, but one thing was clear, we could not attempt that leap in the dark; the only thing to do was to wait for the ray of light which pierced through the gulf at sunset.

⁠For though my nature rarely yields ⁠To that vague fear implied in death; ⁠Nor shudders at the gulfs beneath, The howlings from forgotten fields; […]

It is told that that traveller came at last to the utter End and there was a mighty gulf, and in the darkness at the bottom of the gulf one small god crept, no bigger than a hare, whose voice came crying in the cold: “I know not.” And beyond the gulf was nought, only the small god crying.

Witch's mummy, maw and gulf / Of the ravined salt sea shark,

[T]here is no such mine, / None; but a gulf of ruin, swallowing gold, not making.

the Gulf of Mexico

the Persian Gulf

Word Forms

• gulfs
• gulph
• gulfing
• gulfed

Synonyms for gulf

Related Words

When Should You Use Gulf?

Use gulf when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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