Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Willing to believe or trust too readily, especially without proper or adequate evidence: Describes a person who is too ready to believe what they are told and is therefore easily deceived or tricked.
   • Marked by or arising from a tendency to believe something on slight evidence: Characterizing a belief or acceptance that is not based on critical examination.

Usage

The word "credulous" is used to describe a person or their nature. It is a formal term, often with a negative connotation, implying a lack of skepticism or critical judgment. It is typically used as an attributive adjective (before a noun) or as a predicative adjective (after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem').

Examples

• Attributive use (before a noun):
  • The scam artist targeted credulous elderly people.
  • He made a credulous assumption based on a single rumor.
• Predicative use (after a linking verb):
  • She is far too credulous; she believes every advertisement she sees.
  • The public was surprisingly credulous about the outlandish claims.

Advanced Usage

• "Credulous of": This construction is sometimes used, though less common, to indicate what someone is too ready to believe.
  • He was credulous of any promise of quick wealth.
• The noun form is credulity, which refers to the state or quality of being credulous.
  • The fraud exploited the credulity of his victims.

Variants and Related Words

• Credulity (n): A tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true.
  • The tale stretched credulity to its limits.
• Credulously (adv): In a credulous manner.
  • He nodded credulously as the story grew more fantastical.

Synonyms

• Gullible: Easily persuaded to believe something; easily deceived. (Very close synonym, slightly more common in everyday language).
• Naive: Showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment, often implying innocent trust.
• Trusting: Inclined to trust others, not necessarily negative unless context implies excessive trust.
• Unsuspecting: Not aware of any danger or deception, often used for someone about to be tricked.

Antonyms

• Skeptical / Sceptical: Not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.
• Cynical: Believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
• Discerning: Having or showing good judgment, especially in matters of taste or quality.
• Incredulous: Unwilling or unable to believe something. (Note: This is the direct antonym, describing a state of disbelief rather than a general character trait like skepticism).

Idioms and Phrases

While there are no direct idioms using the word "credulous" itself, the concept is central to many expressions about gullibility. - "Buy (something) hook, line, and sinker": To believe something completely. (Implies the listener was credulous). - He bought the salesman's story hook, line, and sinker. - "Born yesterday": Used to say that one is not naive or easily fooled. - I wasn't born yesterday; I know that's not true. (This is the opposite of being credulous).

Adjective

1. showing a lack of judgment or experience
   • so credulous he believes everything he reads
2. disposed to believe on little evidence
   • the gimmick would convince none but the most credulous