gull

1
[ guhl ]
See synonyms for gull on Thesaurus.com
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.

Origin of gull

1
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

Other definitions for gull (2 of 2)

gull2
[ guhl ]

verb (used with object)
  1. to deceive, trick, or cheat.

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

Origin of gull

2
First recorded in 1540–50; perhaps akin to obsolete gull to swallow, guzzle

Other words for gull

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use gull in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gull (1 of 2)

gull1

/ (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: Related adjective: larine

Origin of gull

1
C15: of Celtic origin; compare Welsh gwylan

Derived forms of gull

  • gull-like, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for gull (2 of 2)

gull2

/ (ɡʌl) archaic /


noun
  1. a person who is easily fooled or cheated

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

Origin of gull

2
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