What does gulp mean?
Gulp is a familiar verb and noun describing quick, audible swallowing. As a verb, it means to swallow food, drink, air, or another liquid rapidly, often with a noticeable movement of the throat; the related phrase gulp down emphasizes eagerness or haste. The expression can also be used figuratively for consuming information or reading rapidly: someone may gulp down a novel or a report in a single afternoon. As a noun, a gulp is the sound produced by swallowing or the amount taken in one mouthful, as in “a gulp of water.” The word often carries an informal, slightly comic quality, particularly when it describes someone eating or drinking too quickly. It can also suggest discomfort or desperation, such as when a person gulps air or tries to gulp back tears. Across both forms, gulp evokes the physical act of swallowing and the sensory impression of sound and motion.
To swallow food, drink, air, or another liquid quickly and audibly; informally, to consume or read eagerly and rapidly.
"The child gulped the juice and ran outside."
Often used in informal contexts; gulp down is especially common when emphasizing speed or eagerness.
A swallowing sound or the amount of something swallowed in one mouthful.
"He heard a gulp and the clink of the glass being set down."
A gulp is countable when referring to an individual sound or mouthful.
The plural gulps is used for individual swallowing sounds or mouthfuls.
"She took three gulps of the hot tea."
From the sound a throat makes when overwhelmed to gulp one enormous mouthful in a single determined motion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gulp come from?
Gulp has Germanic roots, with related forms in Old English, Old Norse, and Middle Dutch. The English verb was recorded in the early modern period, developing from meanings associated with swallowing greedily or noisily, while the noun came to denote both the swallowing sound and a mouthful. Its ultimate origin is uncertain, although the word’s sound-based character makes an imitative origin plausible.
Related word forms
How gulp is actually used
As a verb, gulp is common in informal speech and often suggests swallowing more quickly or eagerly than is comfortable or elegant. It can also describe reading or taking in information without pause. As a noun, a gulp is countable when referring to an individual mouthful or sound.
Easily confused with gulp
A gulp is an act or sound of swallowing, whereas a gulf is a large gap or deep chasm.