gull

¹

[guhl]

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.

gull

²

[guhl]

verb (used with object)

1. to deceive, trick, or cheat.

   Synonyms: hoodwink, bamboozle, fool, dupe, cozen

noun

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

gull

¹

/ ɡʌl /

noun

1. a person who is easily fooled or cheated

verb

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

gull

²

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• gull-like adjective

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gull¹

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

Origin of gull²

C15: of Celtic origin; compare Welsh gwylan

Example Sentences

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.

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The gull swooped past the crowd of creatures and cried, “Help! Roz! Follow me!”

Read more on Literature

Instead, the main agents of colonization appear to be gulls, geese, and shorebirds, which carried seeds in their digestive systems or droppings.

Read more on Science Daily

One day in December, Nat notices gulls, crows, starlings and wrens massing menacingly overhead.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• dupe 
• fool 
• mark 
• patsy 
• pigeon