gulfnoun
uk/ɡʌlf/us/ɡʌlf/gulf noun (AREA)
B2 [ C ] a very large area of sea surrounded on three sides by a coast:
the Gulf of Mexico
the Gulf [ S ]
the Persian Gulf and the countries around it:
The Gulf states include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE.
[ C ] formal a very large, deep hole in the ground
More examples
- The island is in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Warships are heading towards the Persian Gulf.
- The hurricane caused enormous devastation across the islands in the gulf.
- The river flows into the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
- The Gulf suffered severe oil pollution as a result of the war in 1991.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Bays & gulfs
- arm
- basin
- bay
- channel
- cove
- inlet
- lagoon
- narrows
- sea coast
- sound
- strait
- the Persian Gulf
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Countries, nationalities & continents: continents & regions of the world
Geography: caves, cracks & crevices
gulf noun (DIFFERENCE)
C2 [ C usually singular ] an important difference between the ideas, opinions, or situations of two groups of people:
There is a widening gulf between the rich and the poor in our society.
It is hoped that the peace plan will bridge the gulf (= reduce the very large difference) between the government and the rebels.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Different and difference
- a breath of fresh air idiom
- a whole new ballgame idiom
- a world of difference idiom
- alternative
- another
- clash
- contrary
- differential
- distinction
- distinctive
- distorted
- diverge
- divergence
- otherwise
- permutation
- refreshing
- several
- step
- sundry
- variance
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