Gullibly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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gullibly

[ˈɡʌlɪbli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in a naive way

In a gullible manner, easily persuaded to believe something; credulously.

Synonyms

credulously, naively, trustingly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gullibly	Used when someone is easily fooled or deceived, often in a negative sense. It suggests a lack of critical thinking or awareness. She gullibly believed the scammer and lost her savings
naively	Used when someone has a simple and innocent view of the world, without understanding its complexities or dangers. It often suggests a lack of experience. She naively thought everyone she met was genuinely kind
credulously	Used when someone believes things with little evidence or proof, often in a naive manner. It implies an innocent and unquestioning trust. He listened credulously to the tall tales about aliens
trustingly	Used when someone places their trust in someone or something freely and without suspicion. It can be positive or neutral, depending on the outcome. The child looked up at his mother trustingly

Examples of usage

She listened gullibly to his lies.
He gullibly fell for the scam.
Don't trust everything you hear gullibly.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

naive or easily deceived

Easily deceived or tricked because of being too trusting; naive.

Synonyms

credulous, naive, trustful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gullibly	See above entry for 'gullibly'.
naive	Used for someone who is inexperienced or lacking in worldly wisdom, often leading them to believe or trust too easily, but not necessarily in a negative light. Her naive view of the world led her to trust the wrong people. He was naive when he first started his job, unaware of office politics.
credulous	Suitable for describing someone who believes things too easily without enough evidence, often seen as a negative trait. The credulous audience fell for the magician's tricks. His credulous nature made him an easy target for fraudsters.
trustful	Describes someone who has a tendency to trust others easily, usually in a positive or neutral manner, emphasizing the belief in the goodness of others. Children are naturally trustful of their parents. She has a trustful heart, always seeing the best in people.

Examples of usage

She was gullible enough to believe his story.
Don't be so gullible, always question what you are told.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

People who are gullible can be more trusting, relying on others’ words or intentions, which can lead to being easily tricked.
Research suggests that individuals high in empathy may be more gullible since they often view others positively, underestimating the risk of deceit.
Gullibility can sometimes be linked to a lack of critical thinking skills, leading individuals to accept information without questioning it.

Pop Culture

Gullible characters are often featured in cartoons and movies, showcasing their innocence or naïveté for comedic effect.
The term 'gullible' became widely recognized through pranks, such as signs claiming that someone is gullible if they look at the sign.
In social media, 'gullibility' has been a popular theme in memes, where users poke fun at those who fall for obvious hoaxes.

Educational Insights

Teaching children about critical thinking and skepticism can help reduce gullibility; they learn to ask questions before believing.
Games and role-playing scenarios that involve deception or trickery can be fun ways for kids to understand the concept of being gullible.
Understanding the traits that lead to gullibility is important in media literacy, especially in the age of misinformation.

Literature

Gullibility is a common theme in literature, often illustrating the contrast between naiveté and wisdom.
Famous literary characters, like Don Quixote, reflect gullibility through their overly romantic views of adventure and honor.
Satirical works often exaggerate gullibility to critique societal norms, as seen in the works of authors like Jonathan Swift.

Origin of 'gullibly'

Main points about word origin

The word 'gullible' comes from the verb 'gull,' which means to deceive or cheat.
It is believed that the word was formed in the early 19th century, possibly from a connection to the word 'gull,' referring to a type of bird often seen as easily fooled.
While 'gullible' didn’t appear in print until the 1800s, its roots trace back to older terms involving deception.

The word 'gullibly' originated from the adjective 'gullible', which comes from the verb 'gull' meaning to deceive or cheat. The term 'gullible' has been in use since the late 16th century, derived from the verb 'gull' with the suffix '-ible' meaning capable of. Over time, 'gullibly' evolved to describe the adverbial form of 'gullible', indicating the manner in which someone is easily deceived or too trusting.