Gullible

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Gullible

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective

Pronunciation

GUL-ib-ul  /ˈɡʌlɪb(ə)l/

Definition

Easily deceived or tricked; credulous; willing to believe things without sufficient evidence or critical thought.

Plain meaning

Gullible means easy to fool — someone who believes things too readily and can be persuaded without much effort, even by implausible claims.

Register

Informal to neutral. Gullible is an everyday word, slightly pejorative — to call someone gullible is a mild insult implying insufficient critical judgment. You wouldn't normally use it of yourself (few people consider themselves gullible) and would use it somewhat carefully of others.