gull

¹ American  

[guhl] / gʌl /

noun

1. 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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gull ² American  

[guhl] / gʌl /

verb (used with object)

1. to deceive, trick, or cheat.

   Synonyms:

   hoodwink, bamboozle, fool, dupe, cozen

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noun

1. a person who is easily deceived or cheated; dupe.

gull ¹ British  

/ ɡʌl /

noun

1. a person who is easily fooled or cheated

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verb

1. (tr) to fool, cheat, or hoax

gull ² British  

/ ɡʌl /

noun

1. 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 Charadriiformes

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Other Word Forms

• gull-like adjective

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

Example Sentences

The falconer says the hawk is trained not to attack pigeons or gulls but will instead scare them into roosting and nesting elsewhere.

From BBC

The area is known for seals and also has the largest tern and black-headed gull colony in mainland Scotland.

From BBC

Annual surveys have begun to record steady increases in eider ducks, guillemots, herring gulls and lesser-backed gulls on and around the island, year on year.

From BBC

The lead sentence in the Los Angeles Times story was, “Playing in conditions more suitable for sea gulls and ducks.”

From Los Angeles Times

“But why are you here?” said the gull, and he pointed south.

From Literature

Related Words

• dupe
• fool
• mark
• patsy
• pigeon