gullible
UK: ˈɡʌləbl | US: ˈɡʌləbl
adj. easily deceived or tricked due to a lack of critical judgment.
gullible = gull<to deceive> + ible<capable of>
- gull (from obsolete verb gull, meaning "to deceive," derived from Middle English gullen, possibly influenced by Old Norse gola "to mock")
- ible (suffix meaning "capable of," from Latin -ibilis, indicating susceptibility or tendency)
Etymology Origin:
The word gullible emerged in the early 19th century, combining the now-rare verb gull (to cheat) with the suffix -ible. The root gull likely traces back to playful or mocking deception, while -ible systematically denotes vulnerability. The term humorously encapsulates the idea of being "capable of being duped," reflecting societal observations about credulity.
Teenagers are often gullible when faced with online scams.
The salesman exploited her gullible nature to sell overpriced products.
His gullible attitude made him an easy target for pranks.
Never be too gullible to believe everything you read on the internet.
The con artist preyed on the gullible tourists.