credulous

[ krej-uh-luhs ]

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.

credulous

/ ˈkrɛdjʊləs /

adjective

1. tending to believe something on little evidence
2. arising from or characterized by credulity

   credulous beliefs

Derived Forms

• ˈcredulously, adverb
• ˈcredulousness, noun

Other Words From

• credu·lous·ly adverb
• credu·lous·ness noun
• non·credu·lous adjective
• non·credu·lous·ly adverb
• non·credu·lous·ness noun
• over·credu·lous adjective
• over·credu·lous·ly adverb
• over·credu·lous·ness noun
• un·credu·lous adjective
• un·credu·lous·ly adverb
• un·credu·lous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of credulous¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of credulous¹

C16: from Latin crēdulus, from crēdere to believe

Example Sentences

Such pronouncements have often elicited credulous reactions from Musk’s interviewers.

From Los Angeles Times

A credulous media exacerbated the hysteria with “an echo chamber of horrors,” in the words of Times media critic David Shaw, who eviscerated the pack-journalism coverage.

From Los Angeles Times

The reports about what happened during the hearing, and how the Republican justices are likely to rule, range from credulous simplicity to outright gaslighting.

From Salon

Once the tap shoes come out, even the most credulous viewer has to catch on.

From New York Times

While the once credulous Catherine thinks her daughter has suffered a psychotic break with reality, the anticlerical Joseph takes Teresa for a saint.

From New York Times