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 detective accepted the dare and gulped down the milk meant for the sergeant’s child, according to court papers. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2025

Even the most casual sports fan has seen athletes gulping down neon sports drinks on the sidelines and during post-game media interviews, and gels and chews are at every aid station during a race. —Matthew Kadey, Outside Online, 8 Feb. 2025

In a shocking turn of events, the Bad Boys actor snatches and gulps down both pills, and his verse begins. —Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 30 Jan. 2025

Then there’s electricity, which AI gulps like the California government does tax dollars. —John Seiler, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 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

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