What does gulley mean?
A gulley is a narrow valley, ravine, or channel, most often one created or shaped by running water. It may remain dry for much of the year, only becoming a conspicuous watercourse after rain, snowmelt, or a sudden flood. The word can also describe a constructed ditch or drainage channel intended to direct water away from roads, fields, or buildings. Gulley and gully are accepted spellings of the same word, with gully now more common overall, while gulley is especially familiar in American usage. In landscape descriptions, a gulley tends to be tighter and more deeply cut than a general valley, often with steep sides and a narrow floor. The term is consequently associated with rugged terrain, erosion, mountain routes, and the movement of storm water. It is also a useful geographical term because it distinguishes a small water-cut ravine from the broader word valley.
nounA narrow valley, ravine, or channel, especially one formed or deepened by running water. The word can also denote an artificial channel used for drainage.
- A narrow valley, ravine, or deep cut in the land, especially one formed by running water.
- A channel or ditch formed to carry or drain water.
"After the storm, the normally dry gulley was transformed into a swift channel of muddy water."
"The trail follows the edge of a steep gulley where rainwater runs after heavy snowmelt."
"Workers cleared leaves and debris from the drainage gulley before the autumn rains arrived."
Gullies is the usual plural; guleys also occurs, particularly as the plural of the less common spelling.
"Deep gullies cut across the slope after the severe storm."
Gully and gulley are two spellings of the same terrain feature—a narrow cut in the land shaped by water and, at its most dramatic, a route for flash floods.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of gulley
The word entered English in Middle English in the form gully, drawing on Anglo-French gullet, a word derived from Latin gula, meaning “throat.” The image of a throat-like opening was extended to narrow passages and channels cut into the ground. Gulley developed as an English spelling variant, which remains common in American English, while gully became predominant in British usage.
How gulley is actually used
Gulley is a recognized spelling, especially common in American English, but gully is more frequent in current use. In British English, gully is generally the standard form. The word is chiefly geographical and hydrological; in some older contexts, a gulley could also refer to a narrow or throat-like passage.
Easily confused with gulley
Gully is the more common modern spelling, whereas gulley is an accepted variant that ordinarily refers to the same narrow valley or water channel.