What does gulled mean?
“Gulled” is the past tense and past participle of gull, a verb meaning to deceive or trick someone, usually by exploiting their trust or credulity. It is used when the deception has succeeded: a fraudster gulled investors, a con artist gulled a collector, or readers were gulled by a fabricated story. The word carries a formal, literary, and often journalistic tone, suggesting deliberate manipulation rather than a simple mistake. It is also related to gullible and gullibility, words focused on a person’s readiness to believe others, whereas gulled describes the deception that has occurred. Although gull is also the familiar name of a seabird, the verb in this entry is not used for handling or catching birds. In sentences, gulled naturally follows a subject as the main verb (“The promoter gulled investors”) or appears as a participle (“The investors were gulled”). Its compactness makes it especially effective in reporting, literature, and discussions of scams.
verb (past tense and past participle)Having been deceived or tricked, especially by someone who exploited one's trust or credulity.
- Deceived or tricked, especially by false promises, flattery, or exploitation of one's credulity.
"The dishonest broker gulled investors with promises of guaranteed returns."
"A fraudulent investment scheme gulled hundreds of people."
"The inexperienced collector was gulled by a dealer who misrepresented the painting's provenance."
Gulled means successfully fooled—with the added sting of knowing that the deception was deliberate.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gulled come from?
The verb comes through Middle English gullen, meaning “to deceive” or “to cheat.” Its history is associated with an older use of gull for a simple or credulous person, while the related forms gullible and gullibility continue the sense of being easily deceived.
How gulled is actually used
The word has a formal, literary, and often journalistic tone. It implies deliberate deception and is generally more pointed than simply being fooled.
Easily confused with gulled
To be gulled is to be deceived, whereas to be culled is to be selected or removed from a group.