gullible
/ˈɡʌlɪbl̩/
Group 26Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Easily persuaded to believe something; credulous GRE
Example in Context
The scam targeted gullible investors with promises of guaranteed returns that any experienced financier would have recognized as impossible.
Synonyms
easily foolednaivetrusting
Etymology
Easily deceived, like a fish caught by bait.
- gull (Old English) — to deceive
Memory Aid
🐟Sounds like “gull able”
Imagine a GULLABLE fish jumping into a boat because it believes the fisherman is a mermaid!
Visual Association
🐠A fish staring wide-eyed at a shiny lure, completely unaware it's about to be hooked.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “gullible” mean on the GRE?
gullible (adjective) means “Easily persuaded to believe something; credulous”. The scam targeted gullible investors with promises of guaranteed returns that any experienced financier would have recognized as impossible.
How to remember “gullible” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “gullible” sounds like “gull able”. Imagine a GULLABLE fish jumping into a boat because it believes the fisherman is a mermaid!
What are synonyms for “gullible”?
Common synonyms: easily fooled, naive, trusting.