What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gulf
Example
The Gulf of Mexico is located between the United States and Mexico. [Gulf: noun]
Example
There is a gulf between the rich and the poor in this country. [gulf: noun]
Example
The two political parties are separated by a gulf of ideology. [gulf: noun]
disparity
Example
There is a disparity in income between men and women in this company. [disparity: noun]
Example
The disparity in resources between the two schools is concerning. [disparity: noun]
Example
There is a disparity in access to healthcare between urban and rural areas. [disparity: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disparity is more commonly used than gulf in everyday language. Disparity is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gulf is less common and often used in specific contexts such as geography or politics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gulf and disparity?
Both gulf and disparity are formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional settings.
