Quick answer
Gull means to trick or deceive someone; also a seabird. It is usually pronounced GULL, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Gull
To gull means to trick or deceive someone; also a seabird. It belongs to silly insults and character types and works best in character sketches, teasing dialogue, and affectionate old-school put-downs. It is still understandable today, but it usually sounds more vivid and deliberate than ordinary modern vocabulary.
At a glance
insultcharacter-typemocking
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If you gull, you to trick or deceive someone; also a seabird. The verb usually suggests something more expressive, comic, or textured than a plain everyday substitute.
Why this word feels absurd
Gull feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Gull is generally traced to older English verb meaning to fool or dupe. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Gull is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
Example sentences
- The pamphlet was designed to gull anxious investors.
- He was too experienced to be gulled by the offer.
- Satirists once used gull for a person easily tricked by fashion or fraud.
- The ad tried to gull customers with fake scarcity.
When should you use this word?
Use gull when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in character sketches, teasing dialogue, and affectionate old-school put-downs.
Similar words
dupe, deceive, hoodwink, trick, mislead
Opposite or contrasting words
inform, warn, protect
Common questions
- What does gull mean? To trick or deceive someone; also a seabird.
- How do you pronounce gull? It is commonly pronounced GULL.
- Is gull still used today? Gull is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
- When should you use gull? Use gull when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in character sketches, teasing dialogue, and affectionate old-school put-downs.
- What words are similar to gull? Similar words include dupe, deceive, hoodwink, and trick.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.