gulp

verb

ˈgəlp 

gulped; gulping; gulps

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

gulper noun

Synonyms

• belt (down)
• drink
• guzzle
• hoist
• imbibe
• knock back
• pound (down)
• quaff
• sip
• slug (down)
• slurp
• sup
• swig
• swill
• toss (down or off)

Examples of gulp in a Sentence

She told him not to gulp his food.

The exhausted racers lay on the ground, gulping air.

The exhausted racers were gulping for air.

I gulped nervously before beginning my speech.

“That's a lot of money,” she gulped.

He gulped back tears as he thanked the rescuers.

Recent Examples on the Web

The main risk with giving ice cubes is choking, especially for small dogs or dogs that gulp their food. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

The Ratliff family is on the brink of financial ruin as Jason Isaacs’ patriarch Timothy holds out from telling his wife or children and instead gulps down Victoria’s (Parker Posey) lorazepam to dissociate from reality. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025

That meant, gulp, 11 hot dogs had to be consumed in the game, which lasted 2 hours, 33 minutes. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025

Papa uses this moment to gulp the wine in Elijah's cup. —Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for gulp

• pulp

Kids Definition

gulp

verb

ˈgəlp 

1

: to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one swallow

2

: to keep back as if by swallowing

gulp down a sob

3

: to catch the breath as if in taking a long drink

gulp noun

gulper noun