seagull: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral
Quick answer
What does “seagull” mean?
A common white, grey, and black bird that lives near the sea and coasts, known for its loud cry and scavenging behaviour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A common white, grey, and black bird that lives near the sea and coasts, known for its loud cry and scavenging behaviour.
A person who takes something and quickly flies off or departs; also used as slang for inexperienced surfers who lack wave etiquette.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference; both use 'seagull'. However, 'seagull' is more common in everyday speech, while 'gull' is the preferred term in formal ornithological contexts in both regions.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both: often linked to coastal scenery, but also to nuisance behaviour like stealing food.
Frequency
'Seagull' is slightly more frequent in everyday British English than in American English, where 'gull' might be used interchangeably a bit more often.
Grammar
How to Use “seagull” in a Sentence
The seagull [verb] the chip.A seagull [was seen] over the harbour.Seagulls [are scavenging] near the bins.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “seagull” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We had to seagull our lunch on the beach to stop them stealing it.
- The pigeons will seagull any crumbs you drop.
American English
- He seagulled the last slice of pizza when no one was looking.
- The kids seagulled the free samples at the market.
adjective
British English
- The seagull population has grown rapidly.
- We could hear the typical seagull cry.
American English
- He has a seagull tattoo on his arm.
- The beach had a seagull problem.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Informal metaphor for a manager who interferes briefly and disruptively (seagull management).
Academic
Used in biology, ecology, and environmental studies when discussing coastal species.
Everyday
Common when discussing beach trips, coastal towns, or birds stealing food.
Technical
Ornithologists more often use the specific species name (e.g., herring gull, black-backed gull) or the term 'gull'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “seagull”
- Misspelling as 'sea gull' (it is typically one word).
- Overusing 'seagull' in formal biological writing where 'gull' or the species name is preferred.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Seagull' is the common everyday term. 'Gull' is more formal and is preferred in scientific contexts.
Yes, informally. To 'seagull' means to snatch something quickly, often food, in the manner of a seagull.
While strongly associated with the sea, many gull species are now commonly found inland near lakes, reservoirs, and cities, scavenging for food.
It is a business slang term for a manager who only appears occasionally ('flies in'), makes a lot of noise (criticises), messes things up, and then leaves without helping.
A common white, grey, and black bird that lives near the sea and coasts, known for its loud cry and scavenging behaviour.
Seagull is usually neutral in register.
Seagull: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsiːɡʌl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsiːɡʌl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Seagull manager (one who flies in, makes a lot of noise, messes everything up, and then leaves).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: It's a GULL that lives by the SEA. The word is a simple compound.
Conceptual Metaphor
NOISE IS A SEAGULL (e.g., 'The children were screeching like seagulls'); INTRUSIVE/ANNOYING BEHAVIOUR IS A SEAGULL SCAVENGING.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a correct statement about the word 'seagull'?