gulf
gb/ɡˈʌlf/ us/ɡˈʌlf/
A2
English
~ 4900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Large sea inlet
A large part of the sea that is partly surrounded by land.
Usage pattern:
the Gulf of [place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'gulf' with 'bay'; gulfs are generally larger and more open to the sea.
Synonyms
bay (Usually smaller and less enclosed than a gulf.)
|
inlet (A smaller narrow arm of the sea, less extensive than a gulf.)
Collocations
the Gulf of Mexico
|the Persian Gulf
|coastal gulf
Themes
geography
|nature
|travel
|space
Examples
- The Gulf of Mexico is known for its warm waters.
- Several countries border the Persian Gulf.
- Oil tankers travel through the gulf to reach the port.
Learner examples
- The Gulf of Mexico is very big.
- We sailed across the gulf.
- Many fish live in the gulf.
Noun
B1
relation
2
Large difference or separation
A big difference between people, groups, or ideas.
Usage pattern:
a gulf between [group/idea] and [group/idea]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'gulf' always refers to water; in this sense it is metaphorical for difference.
Synonyms
divide (General term for separation; 'gulf' suggests a wider or more difficult-to-cross gap.)
|
gap (Less dramatic than 'gulf', more general.)
Antonyms
connection (Implies closeness or unity instead of separation.)
|
similarity (Implies likeness rather than difference.)
Collocations
a gulf between rich and poor
|bridge the gulf
|a cultural gulf
Themes
society
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There is a growing gulf between urban and rural communities.
- The negotiations aimed to bridge the gulf between the two sides.
- A cultural gulf separated the visitors from their hosts.
Learner examples
- There is a big gulf between rich and poor.
- We must bridge the gulf between our ideas.
- The gulf between them grew over time.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gulf
IPA
GB/ɡˈʌlf/
US/ɡˈʌlf/
Syllables & stress
gulf (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (gulf)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: gulf
- Plural: gulfs
Word family
Forms
gulfs
noun
Related words
engulf
verb B2
Expressions
a gulf between
1/ə ɡˈʌlf bɪtwˈin/
fixed phrase
Difference between two things
Used to talk about a big difference between two things, people, or ideas.
Examples
- There is a gulf between theory and practice.
- A gulf exists between what he says and what he does.
bridge the gulf
1/bɹˈɪd͡ʒ ðə ɡˈʌlf/
fixed phrase
Reduce a difference or division
To make two groups or ideas closer by reducing their differences.
Examples
- The new policy aims to bridge the gulf between management and workers.
- Education can help bridge the gulf between generations.