Sucker: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in informal situations to describe someone who is easily convinced or tricked. Often carries a slightly negative or playful connotation.

• He fell for the scam; he's such a sucker.
• Only a sucker would believe that story.

Used to describe someone who has been deceived or tricked, often in a serious or unfortunate situation. This word is more formal and has a negative connotation.

• The con artist managed to dupe several investors.
• She felt like a dupe after realizing the truth.

Used broadly to describe someone who lacks good judgment or acts unwisely. Can be used in both serious and light-hearted contexts, but often has a negative connotation.

• Don't be a fool; think before you act.
• He made a fool of himself at the party.

Describes someone who is easily deceived or tricked because they are too trusting. This term is often used more sympathetically or objectively.

• He's a gullible person who believes everything he hears.
• Be careful, don't be such a gullible person.

Generally informal and sometimes has a negative connotation, often used in casual conversations among friends or in a playful manner.

• He always buys a sucker for his kids after school
• Kids love to trade their suckers during recess

The most neutral and widely accepted term, appropriate for use in both casual and formal contexts, particularly when talking about different types of flavored, hard candies on a stick.

• The doctor gave him a lollipop for being brave during the checkup
• She bought a rainbow-colored lollipop from the candy store

Less common and typically used in more traditional or descriptive contexts, especially when referring to striped hard candies that often come in red and white colors.

• She hung candy sticks on the Christmas tree as decorations
• The old shop still sells candy sticks in a variety of flavors