adj
gullible
GUH-lihbl
Gullible (adj) means Easily fooled, deceived, or persuaded to believe something untrue. Example: “He's gullible enough to believe almost any excuse.”
adj
1
Easily fooled, deceived, or persuaded to believe something untrue.
"Andrew is so gullible, the way he still believes in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and the Sandman at the age of fourteen."
"He's gullible enough to believe almost any excuse."
"The scam relied on gullible investors who never checked the numbers."
How to use gullible
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishToo trusting — easily tricked or convinced of things that aren't true.
Common mistake
A well-known joke defines "gullible" as "not in the dictionary" — it is, in fact, a real word.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
gullible enough to
gullible public
naive and gullible
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Word forms
- Plural
- gullibles
- Comparative
- more gullible
- Superlative
- most gullible
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He's _____ enough to believe almost any excuse.
Etymology
Likely from "gull" ("to trick, dupe") plus the adjective suffix "-ible."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for gullible
See all rhymes for gullible →Frequently asked questions
What does “gullible” mean?
The word “gullible” means easily fooled, deceived, or persuaded to believe something untrue. In plain terms, too trusting — easily tricked or convinced of things that aren't true.
How do you pronounce “gullible”?
“Gullible” is pronounced GUH-lihbl (/ˈɡʌlɪbl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “gullible” in a sentence?
Here is “gullible” used in a sentence: “He's gullible enough to believe almost any excuse.”
What part of speech is “gullible”?
“Gullible” is an adjective.
