Gullible
adjective /ˈɡʌl.ɪ.bəl/ — Too easily persuaded or deceived.
Definition
Easily persuaded to believe something, even when evidence is thin or skepticism is warranted; naively trusting to a fault.
Beyond the definition
Gullible is the word others use — rarely the word someone uses for themselves. It implies a gap between the trust offered and the trust earned. Being gullible isn't malicious; it's a kind of innocence that hasn't yet learned to protect itself.
Origin & history
From the verb 'gull' (to deceive or cheat), probably from Old Norse gull ('yellow'), later associated with young birds that accept anything dropped into their mouths.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
He was gullible enough to believe the story without asking a single question.
The scammer had a gift for identifying gullible targets in a crowd.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Gullible” when the meaning fits your context: Easily persuaded to believe something, even when evidence is thin or skepticism is warranted; naively trusting to a fault.
Synonyms
credulous, naive, trusting, unsuspecting, easily fooled
Antonyms
Related words
- credulous
- naive
- ingenuous
- credulous
Gullible vs credulous
Credulous means too ready to believe — overly accepting of claims without sufficient evidence. Gullible is the more colloquial and pointed version: it implies being easily manipulated or deceived specifically because of that credulity. A credulous person believes what they're told; a gullible one falls for it. Gullible often carries a note of exploitation: others take advantage of the gullible person's trust. Credulous is an intellectual failing; gullible implies you've been played.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Susceptible to false influence
One adult looks to another for cues, copying their posture and outfit while their own reflection appears faint and lacking direction.
The person looking to the other for cues exhibits a naive, trusting nature. This illustrates being gullible, where one is easily persuaded by an external influence rather than relying on their own internal judgment or skepticism.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Gullible" mean?
Gullible is adjective meaning: Too easily persuaded or deceived.. Easily persuaded to believe something, even when evidence is thin or skepticism is warranted; naively trusting to a fault.
Where does the word "Gullible" come from?
From the verb 'gull' (to deceive or cheat), probably from Old Norse gull ('yellow'), later associated with young birds that accept anything dropped into their mouths.