credulous

American  

[krej-uh-luhs] / ˈkrɛdʒ ə ləs /

adjective

1. willing to believe or trust too readily, especially without proper or adequate evidence; gullible.

   Synonyms:

   unsuspecting, trustful

2. marked by or arising from credulity.

   a credulous rumor.

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credulous British  

/ ˈkrɛdjʊləs /

adjective

1. tending to believe something on little evidence

2. arising from or characterized by credulity

   credulous beliefs

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Other Word Forms

• credulously adverb
• credulousness noun
• noncredulous adjective
• noncredulously adverb
• noncredulousness noun
• overcredulous adjective
• overcredulously adverb
• overcredulousness noun
• uncredulous adjective
• uncredulously adverb
• uncredulousness noun

Etymology

Origin of credulous

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin crēdulus, equivalent to crēdere “to believe” + -ulus adjective suffix denoting a quality or tendency; -ous

Example Sentences

It goes to show there’s no limit to how credulous some people choose to be when given an opportunity to think something negative about Israel or Jews.

From The Wall Street Journal

There was still some part of him, however, that was as credulous as the little kid who lent his new bike to a total stranger.

From Literature

But the vital factor in his success was having a rich and credulous brother-in-law.

From The Wall Street Journal

Psychologists know that people are credulous about the cognitive abilities of those who matter to them, overinterpreting simple responses as signs of cogitation.

From The Wall Street Journal

Liz is a compelling creation, at once smart, sassy and wily, and there is fun to be had watching her slickly outwit credulous individuals.

From Los Angeles Times