gull

1 of 3

noun (1)

: any of numerous long-winged web-footed aquatic birds (subfamily Larinae of the family Laridae)
especially : a usually gray and white bird (especially of the genus Larus) differing from a tern in usually larger size, stouter build, thicker somewhat hooked bill, less pointed wings, and short unforked tail

gull

2 of 3

verb

gulled; gulling; gulls

transitive verb

: to take advantage of (one who is foolish or unwary) : deceive

gull

3 of 3

noun (2)

: a person who is easily deceived or cheated : dupe

Examples of gull in a Sentence

Verb we were gulled into believing that if we answered the e-mail, we'd somehow become millionaires, but instead we just got put on a list for junk mail Noun (2) was enough of a gull to fall victim to a pyramid scheme even though he'd been duped before
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Tippi Hedren stars in this masterpiece of the Nature Run Amok subgenre, playing a socialite whose romance with a criminal defense lawyer (Rod Taylor) is rudely interrupted by a gaggle of gulls (not to mention a murder of crows) who collectively decide to turn on humanity all at once. Katie Rife, EW.com, 18 Oct. 2024 The birds quickly progressed as hunters, soon targeting gulls, pelicans and other birds. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024
Verb
In reality, Daniels is irresponsibly leading the easily gulled and distracted away from the real problem. John Tamny, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 That’s because the agency’s duty is to stand in the way of anyone desiring to push unsafe and ineffective drugs and devices at unwary consumers for profit, and also to stand in the way of a perverse idea that personal freedom includes the freedom to be gulled by charlatans. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gull 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh gwylan gull

Verb

obsolete gull gullet, from Middle English golle, from Anglo-French gule, gole

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1550, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gull was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near gull

Cite this Entry

“Gull.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gull. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

gull

1 of 3 noun
: any of numerous mostly white or gray birds that have long wings and webbed feet and are typically found near water

gull

2 of 3 verb
: to take advantage of : deceive

gull

3 of 3 noun
: a person easily deceived or cheated : dupe
Etymology

Noun

Middle English gull "gull"; of Celtic origin

Verb

from obsolete English gull "gullet"

More from Merriam-Webster on gull

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