VocabDictionary

gulp

/ษกสŒlp/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.verb

To swallow food or drink quickly or in large mouthfuls; to swallow eagerly or greedily.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œHe was so thirsty after the run that he began to gulp down the entire bottle of water.โ€
  • โ€œDon't gulp your food like that, or you will get indigestion.โ€
2.noun

A large mouthful of liquid swallowed at one time, or the act of swallowing it.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œShe took a deep gulp of fresh air before diving back under the water.โ€
  • โ€œHe finished the remaining juice in one giant gulp.โ€
3.interjection

Used in written text to represent the sound of swallowing, typically expressing fear, nervousness, or apprehension.

Example Sentences:
  • โ€œ"I have to give the speech in front of five hundred people? Gulp!"โ€
  • โ€œ"Gulp... I hope they don't find out I was the one who broke the vase."โ€
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for โ€œgulpโ€.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Originating in the late Middle English period (around 1400), 'gulp' is likely of Middle Dutch or Middle Low German origin, akin to the Dutch 'gulpen' (meaning 'to swallow or gush'). It is highly imitative (onomatopoeic) in nature, mimicking the actual sound made in the throat when swallowing a large amount of liquid quickly.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Imagine swallowing a whole 'gulf' of water in one big 'gulp'.

Common Collocations & Phrases
Rhyming Words

Frequently Asked Questions About โ€œgulpโ€

1. What is the meaning of โ€œgulpโ€ in English?

In English, gulp (verb) is defined as: โ€œTo swallow food or drink quickly or in large mouthfuls; to swallow eagerly or greedily.โ€.

2. How do you use โ€œgulpโ€ in a sentence?

โ€œHe was so thirsty after the run that he began to gulp down the entire bottle of water.โ€

3. What are English synonyms of โ€œgulpโ€?

Common synonyms include:swallow,guzzle,quaff,chug,gasp

4. What is the etymology and word origin of โ€œgulpโ€?

Originating in the late Middle English period (around 1400), 'gulp' is likely of Middle Dutch or Middle Low German origin, akin to the Dutch 'gulpen' (meaning 'to swallow or gush'). It is highly imitative (onomatopoeic) in nature, mimicking the actual sound made in the throat when swallowing a large amount of liquid quickly.