First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
gulp
verb \ˈgəlp\
: to eat or swallow (something) quickly or in large amounts
: to take (air) into your lungs quickly
: to swallow because of strong emotion (such as fear or shock)
Full Definition of GULP
transitive verb
1
: to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one swallow
2
: to keep back as if by swallowing <gulp down a sob>
3
: to take in readily as if by swallowing <gulp down knowledge>
intransitive verb
: to catch the breath as if in taking a long drink
— gulp noun
— gulp·er noun
See gulp defined for English-language learners
See gulp defined for kids
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Origin of GULP
Middle English, from a Middle Dutch or Middle Low German word akin to Dutch & Frisian gulpen to bubble forth, drink deep; akin to Old English gielpan to boast — more at yelp
Related to GULP
- Synonyms
- belt (down), drink, guzzle, hoist, imbibe, knock back, pound (down), quaff, sip, slug (down), slurp, sup, swig, swill, toss (down or off)
Rhymes with GULP
GULPING Defined for Kids
1gulp
verb \ˈgəlp\
gulpedgulp·ing
Definition of GULP for Kids
1
: to swallow in a hurry or in large amounts at a time
2
: to breathe in deeply <Roy turned his head away to gulp some fresh air. — Carl Hiaasen, Hoot>
3
: to keep back as if by swallowing <He gulped down a sob.>
4
: to say in a nervous way <“Oops,” she gulped.>
2gulp
noun
Definition of GULP for Kids
1
: the act of swallowing or breathing deeply
2
: a large swallow
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