seagull

IPA/ˈsiːɡʌl/
KK[sˈiɡˌʌl]IPA/ˈsiːɡʌl/

seagull — noun

  • seagullsingular
  • seagullsplural

1. a common coastal bird with white feathers on its body, long pointed wings that a

1.nounA2
Definition

a common coastal bird with white feathers on its body, long pointed wings that are often grey or dark, and a strong beak, commonly seen near harbours and beaches where it gathers in large groups

Example

A seagull landed on the pier beside Renata while she was eating her sandwich.

collocation: seagull + landed on [surface]

The children laughed as a flock of seagulls followed their boat out of the harbour.

common phrase: a flock of seagulls

Common collocations
  • a flock of seagulls
  • a seagull + landed / swooped / perched / glided
  • seagulls + cry / squawk / screech / call
  • feed the seagulls
  • seagulls + follow a boat / ship / trawler
Synonyms
  • gull

    the scientific and more precise term; preferred by bird experts

  • seabird

    broader category that includes gulls, terns, pelicans, and many other coastal species

Usage Note

In everyday speech people usually call these birds 'seagulls', but ornithologists often use just 'gull' because some species live well inland rather than by the sea.

Common Mistakes

I saw a seagull by the lake.
I saw a gull by the lake.
The simple word 'gull' is more accurate for birds found inland, though 'seagull' is widely accepted in casual use.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

"Seagull" is the everyday word for the grey-and-white birds seen along coastlines, but ornithologists prefer the simpler name "gull" because many species live far from the sea. "Seabird" is a much broader category that includes gulls, terns, albatrosses, and pelicans. "Tern" refers to a slim, narrow-winged relative of the gull with a forked tail — often mistaken for a seagull by beginners. In practical terms: if you point at a bird scavenging on a beach and say "seagull," everyone will understand you. If you are writing a nature report, "gull" is the more accurate choice.

gull ↗seabirdtern ↗

Etymology

CelticWelshEnglish

"Seagull" is a compound of "sea" + "gull." The word "gull" comes from an old Celtic root: Welsh gwylan and Breton gwelan both mean "gull." The "sea-" prefix was added by English speakers to distinguish coastal gulls from inland species, though modern usage treats "seagull" and "gull" as largely interchangeable in everyday speech.