CREDULOUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does credulous mean? 

• CREDULOUS (adjective)
  The adjective CREDULOUS has 2 senses:

1. disposed to believe on little evidence

2. showing a lack of judgment or experience

  Familiarity information: CREDULOUS used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CREDULOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Disposed to believe on little evidence

Context example:

the gimmick would convince none but the most credulous

Similar:

credible ((a common but incorrect usage where 'credulous' would be appropriate) credulous)

overcredulous (too credulous for your own good)

unquestioning (not inclined to ask questions)

Also:

naif; naive (marked by or showing unaffected simplicity and lack of guile or worldly experience)

trustful; trusting (inclined to believe or confide readily; full of trust)

Antonym:

incredulous (not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving)

Derivation:

credulity (tendency to believe readily)

credulousness (tendency to believe too readily and therefore to be easily deceived)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Showing a lack of judgment or experience

Context example:

so credulous he believes everything he reads

Similar:

naif; naive (marked by or showing unaffected simplicity and lack of guile or worldly experience)

Derivation:

credulity (tendency to believe readily)

credulousness (tendency to believe too readily and therefore to be easily deceived)

 Context examples 

Fortunately for those who pay their court through such foibles, a fond mother, though, in pursuit of praise for her children, the most rapacious of human beings, is likewise the most credulous; her demands are exorbitant; but she will swallow any thing; and the excessive affection and endurance of the Miss Steeles towards her offspring were viewed therefore by Lady Middleton without the smallest surprise or distrust.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)