Gullible
/ˈɡʌləbəl/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Gullible means someone who is quick to believe what others say, even if it might be wrong or a trick. A gullible person often trusts people easily and may be fooled because they do not check facts or think twice.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Easily believing things that may not be true
- •She was so gullible that she believed every story he told.
- •The scam worked because the victims were gullible and didn't check the facts.
- •Don't be gullible when someone offers you a deal that sounds too good to be true.
Being too trusting or naive in social situations
- •Gullible people often get taken advantage of by others.
- •He was gullible and gave his password to a stranger on the phone.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "gullible" like "trusting" (A1 word), but much more open and sometimes too easy to believe things without proof
- ✓Picture a child believing a funny story without any doubt, smiling happily because they trust the storyteller
- ✓It's the feeling when you believe a joke or prank and feel surprised or a little embarrassed afterward
- ✓Sounds like "GULL-uh-bull" → imagine a "gull" (a bird that easily takes food from people) + "bull" (strong but fooled), a strong bird that trusts too much and gets tricked
- ✓Remember classic stories where someone is tricked because they believe everything they hear, like the "boy who cried wolf"
- ✓NOT like "skeptical" (doubting and careful), "gullible" is the opposite—quick to believe without doubt
- ✓NOT like "naive" (innocent and inexperienced), "gullible" focuses more on being easily tricked or fooled
- ✓NOT like "clever" (smart and careful), gullible people often miss signs of a trick or lie
Try Other Words
- •Naive: innocent and lacking experience (Use when focusing on a person's innocence rather than being easily tricked)
- •Credulous: ready to believe things without proof (Use in formal or written contexts)
- •Trusting: willing to believe or rely on others (Use when the belief is positive and careful)
- •Fooled: tricked or deceived (Use when emphasizing the result of being gullible)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "gull" (to trick or deceive) + suffix "-ible" (able to be)
- •Etymology: From the verb "gull," meaning to cheat or trick someone, combined with "-ible," meaning capable of being
- •Historical development: First used in the 17th century to describe someone easily tricked or cheated
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe people who believe too easily or are easily fooled by lies or tricks
Reflect & Connect
•Can being gullible sometimes be good? When might trust be more helpful than caution?
•How can you tell if someone is being gullible or just trusting in a positive way?
Fill in the blanks
1.People who are gullible often believe ___ without checking if it is true.
2.When someone is too gullible, they might ___ by false promises or tricks.
3.Being gullible is different from being skeptical because gullible people ___ doubts easily.
4.The phrase "gullible as a ___" is sometimes used to describe someone who believes too easily.
5.A gullible person might say "yes" to ___ offers that seem too good to be true.
6.To avoid being gullible, it is important to ___ information before trusting it.
7.When you see someone acting gullible, you can often ___ that they did not expect to be tricked.