gull

[ guhl ]

/ gʌl /

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noun

any of numerous long-winged, web-toed, aquatic birds of the family Laridae, having usually white plumage with a gray back and wings.

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Origin of gull

1400–50; late Middle English gulle, perhaps <Welsh gŵylan,Cornish guilan (compare French goéland<Breton gwelan)

OTHER WORDS FROM gull

gull-like, adjective

Words nearby gull

Gulf Stream system, Gulf War, Gulf War syndrome, gulfweed, gulgul, gull, Gullah, gullet, gulley, gullible, Gulliver's Travels

Other definitions for gull (2 of 2)

gull²

[ guhl ]

/ gʌl /

verb (used with object)

to deceive, trick, or cheat.

noun

a person who is easily deceived or cheated; dupe.

OTHER WORDS FOR gull

1 cozen, dupe, fool, bamboozle, hoodwink.

See synonyms for gull on Thesaurus.com

Origin of gull

First recorded in 1540–50; perhaps akin to obsolete gull to swallow, guzzle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gull in a sentence

Come April, seabirds—including western gulls and California brown pelicans—begin nesting in earnest.
The Ultimate Channel Islands National Park Travel Guide|Shawnté Salabert|June 23, 2021|Outside Online
One of the problems they had at JFK was an overpopulation of gulls.
Four wild animals that are thriving in cities|By Ryan Chelius/Outdoor Life|February 9, 2021|Popular-Science
After 50 years, members of the Huna Tlingit people can finally collect harvest sea gull eggs again in Glacier National Park.
Nazis, Sunscreen, and Sea Gull Eggs: Congress in 2014 Was Hella Productive|Ben Jacobs|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yes, and a terrible lie—designed to gull money from a generous, unsuspecting public.
Colonel of Truth: The KFC Hoax and the Idiocy of Crowdfunding for Bullying Victims|Scott Bixby|June 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“These were not the finest Santa suits,” said the bartender at the Rusty Gull.
Criminal Santas: Grapevine Murders, Bank Robberies, More (Photos)|Josh Dzieza|December 28, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Gull introduced Mortenson to the villagers as being a medical doctor and professor at an American medical college.
We Never Kidnapped Greg Mortenson|Ron Moreau, Sami Yousafzai|April 18, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Asma Gull Hasan was born in Chicago to Pakistani immigrant parents and grew up in Colorado.
Red, White, and Muslim|Asma Gull Hasan|February 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST
On this occasion, however, the tug appeared somewhat late on the scene, and hailed the Gull.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
The drama, as far as the Gull-Light was concerned, ended that night with the disappearance of the tug and lifeboat.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
The mate and men rushed on deck in time to see a large ship pass close to the bow of the Gull.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
Little more than an hour before midnight another craft was observed driving down on the hawse of the Gull.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
Meanwhile the sun went down, and the lanterns of the Goodwin, the Gull, and the South sandhead floating lights went up.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for gull (1 of 2)

gull¹

/ (ɡʌl) /

noun

any aquatic bird of the genus Larus and related genera, such as L. canus (common gull or mew) having long pointed wings, short legs, and a mostly white plumage: family Laridae, order CharadriiformesRelated adjective: larine

Derived forms of gull

gull-like, adjective

Word Origin for gull

C15: of Celtic origin; compare Welsh gwylan

British Dictionary definitions for gull (2 of 2)

gull²

/ (ɡʌl) archaic /

noun

a person who is easily fooled or cheated

verb

(tr) to fool, cheat, or hoax

Word Origin for gull

C16: perhaps from dialect gull unfledged bird, probably from gul, from Old Norse gulr yellow

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

gull

Origin of gull

OTHER WORDS FROM gull

Words nearby gull

Other definitions for gull (2 of 2)

OTHER WORDS FOR gull

Origin of gull

Words related to gull

How to use gull in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gull (1 of 2)

Derived forms of gull

Word Origin for gull

British Dictionary definitions for gull (2 of 2)

Word Origin for gull