noun
gully
GUL-ee/ˈɡʌli/
A narrow channel cut into earth by running water.
Rainwater carves a deep gully into the bare hillside.
Etymology
Probably related to golet, a channel-word in the gullet family. The ancestry is uncertain, though the channel sense supports it.
In context
channels it can carve out deeper water courses that can spread rapidly up drainage lines active gullies can threaten roads fences buildings and restrict land use and access for small gully heads less than half a meter deep
More examples
- We crossed a dry gully on our hike.
- Heavy rains widen the gullies along the dirt road.
- Grass helps keep soil from washing into the gully.
Forms
gully · gullies