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

Derived Forms

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

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; see -ous

Explanation

People who believe things easily without having to be convinced are credulous. Sales people are always hoping that someone credulous picks up the phone during a sales call. Credulous comes from the 16th-century Latin credulus, or "easily believes." A synonym for credulous is gullible, and both terms describe a person who accepts something willingly without a lot of supporting facts. Calling someone credulous can imply that the person is naive and simple. An individual isn't necessarily insulted by being called credulous, though, because some objects of belief, like religions and unicorns, come with a willing leap of faith for believing in what is unseen.