The word 'gullible' /ˈɡʌləbl/ refers to someone who is easily deceived or tricked. Despite its pronunciation as 'gul-luh-bull', the spelling of the word includes two 'L's and only one 'B'. This can be confusing for learners of English, as the doubled 'L' is usually associated with a short vowel sound. However, 'gullible' breaks this rule and is a commonly misspelled word. It is important to remember the proper spelling to prevent misunderstandings or embarrassing errors in communication.
Gullible is an adjective that describes a person who is easily deceived or tricked, often displaying a lack of critical thinking or skepticism. This term is used to characterize someone who is overly trusting or naive, readily believing in things that may not be true or accurate. A gullible individual may be overly susceptible to manipulation or influenced by others' false information, due to their tendency to accept statements or claims at face value without examining them critically.
People who are gullible often possess a trusting nature, making them vulnerable targets for scams, hoaxes, or deceitful individuals. They may easily fall for lies, misleading advertisements, or persuasive acts, as they tend to lack a healthy skepticism or cautiousness when assessing the credibility of information or people. This susceptibility may result from a combination of factors, including a desire to be accepted, a lack of knowledge in specific fields, or a tendency to give others the benefit of the doubt.
It is important to note that being gullible is not a desirable trait as it can lead to exploitation, financial loss, or other unfavorable outcomes. Developing critical thinking skills, questioning assertions, and verifying information from reliable sources are key strategies for combating gullibility.
Easily deceived.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "gullible" comes from the verb "gull", which originated in the 16th century and meant "to deceive or cheat". The etymology of "gull" is uncertain, but it is believed to have derived from the Middle English word "gulle" or "gulle-calf". The term "gulle-calf" referred to a young bird, specifically a gull, that was easily caught and therefore considered naive or easily deceived. Over time, this term evolved to become the adjective "gullible", which describes someone who is easily fooled or tricked.