gulp
gulp Lexical Profile
gulp Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An act of swallowing food, drink, or air quickly or in a large amount.
"After finishing the race, he took a deep gulp of fresh air."
A large mouthful of liquid swallowed at one time.
"She finished the remaining water in her glass in a single gulp."
• verb
To swallow food or drink quickly, eagerly, or in large mouthfuls.
"Running late for the bus, he had to gulp his morning coffee and rush out the door."
To make an audible swallowing motion or breathe in spasmodically, typically in response to strong emotion such as fear, nervousness, or surprise.
"The nervous student could only gulp when called upon to present first."
• interjection
Used (often in comics or informal dialogue) to represent the sound of swallowing audibly due to nervousness, fear, or embarrassment.
"Gulp! I think the principal just saw us sneaking out of the cafeteria."
• Rhymes for gulp
Word Origin & Etymology
Dating back to Middle English 'gulpen', the word was likely borrowed from Middle Dutch 'gulpen' (to swallow eagerly) and is ultimately imitative of the sound of swallowing.