gull
1 Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
noun
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gull1
1400–50; late Middle English gulle, perhaps < Welsh gŵylan, Cornish guilan (compare French goéland < Breton gwelan )
Origin of gull2
First recorded in 1540–50; perhaps akin to obsolete gull to swallow, guzzle
Explanation
You know those birds that hang out by the ocean, and grab your sandwich if you aren't paying attention? Those are gulls, also known as sea gulls. Gulls are found in every continent, including Antarctica. The noun gull has two very distinct definitions. Gulls are shore birds, of course, but lesser-used meaning of the word is "a person who is easy to fool." Your little brother might be a gull if you can trick him into doing your chores along with his own. You may know the related word gullible, which describes a willingness to believe anything, without questioning whether it is true.
Vocabulary lists containing gull
A Vocabulary Bestiary: Animals That Behave as Verbs
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Much Ado About Nothing
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Twelfth Night
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Indian skipper Shubman Gull was caught by wicketkeeper Josh Philippe off Nathan Ellis for 10 before the first rain delay, with India 23-3 after 8.5 overs.
From Barron's • Oct. 19, 2025
“The Gull Guide: North America” is a book for people who agree that gulls deserve better than their unflattering reputation.
From Salon • Nov. 16, 2024
Pakistan were always behind the scoring rate in reaching 60-0 and after Sophie Ecclestone dismissed Sidra Ameen for 26th in the ninth over, fellow opener Gull Feroza was caught for 30 in the next over.
From BBC • May 19, 2024
“Motorists have been turning up and unable to get fuel,” said Julien Leys, a spokesman for Gull New Zealand, one of the companies whose gas pumps malfunctioned.
From New York Times • Feb. 29, 2024
Other times, rich people sailed up from Newport to Gull Island, which was right alongside Penikese, to camp out in the “wilderness” for a night or two.
From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
