noun
gull
GUHL
Gull (noun) means a seabird, typically gray or white, common along coasts and often seen scavenging for food. Example: “Gulls circled the fishing boat, waiting for scraps.”
noun
1
A seabird, typically gray or white, common along coasts and often seen scavenging for food.
"Gulls circled the fishing boat, waiting for scraps."
2
A person who is easily deceived or tricked; a dupe.
"The con artist looked for gulls willing to hand over cash upfront."
verb
1
To deceive or trick someone.
"He was gulled into signing a contract he never read."
How to use gull
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA coastal bird, or (older usage) someone easily fooled, or the act of tricking them.
Common mistake
The "dupe/trick" sense is now dated — "gullible" (the adjective from the same root) is far more common in modern English.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like gull.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- gulls
- Third person singular
- gulls
- Past tense
- gulled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ circled the fishing boat, waiting for scraps.
Etymology
From Middle English gulle, from a Brythonic Celtic word for "seagull," related to Welsh gwylan.
Related words
Rhymes for gull
See all rhymes for gull →Frequently asked questions
What does “gull” mean?
The word “gull” means a seabird, typically gray or white, common along coasts and often seen scavenging for food. In plain terms, a coastal bird, or (older usage) someone easily fooled, or the act of tricking them.
How do you pronounce “gull”?
“Gull” is pronounced GUHL (/ˈɡʌl/ in IPA).
How do you use “gull” in a sentence?
Here is “gull” used in a sentence: “Gulls circled the fishing boat, waiting for scraps.”
What part of speech is “gull”?
Depending on how it is used, “gull” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gull” come from?
The word “gull” comes from Middle English. From Middle English gulle, from a Brythonic Celtic word for "seagull," related to Welsh gwylan.
How many meanings does “gull” have?
“Gull” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a seabird, typically gray or white, common along coasts and often seen scavenging for food.
