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Synonyms

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.

gull 2 American  
[guhl] / gʌl /

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 British  
/ ɡʌl /

noun

  1. a person who is easily fooled or cheated

"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

verb

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

"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 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

"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

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The incident unfolded when the low-flying gull got caught in the path of a clearance kick by Istanbul Yurdum Spor's goalkeeper during an amateur playoff match against Mevlanakapi Guzelhisar, a club official told AFP Tuesday.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

Earlier in 2024, scientists detected H5N1 in a kelp gull and two skuas that were found dead in January and February.

From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2026

Ministers committed to holding the summit following warnings that gull attacks were posing a risk to health and safety and a nuisance to local businesses.

From BBC • Sep. 18, 2025

McQuilkin said the struggling gull population reflects broader ecological problems.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2025

Her eyes are trained on a gull wiggling a potato chip out from the wood slat bench.

From "Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.