gullibility (n.)

1782, earlier cullibility (1728), probably from gull (n.2) "dupe, sucker" + -ability.

Entries linking to gullibility

cant term for "dupe, sucker, credulous person," 1590s, of uncertain origin. Perhaps from verb meaning "to dupe, cheat" (see gull (v.)). Or it is perhaps from (or influenced by) the bird name (see gull (n.1)); in either case with a sense of "someone who will swallow anything thrown at him." Another possibility is Middle English gull, goll "newly hatched bird" (late 14c.), which is perhaps from Old Norse golr "yellow," from the hue of its down.

-ability

word-forming element expressing ability, fitness, or capacity, from Latin -abilitas, forming nouns from adjectives ending in -abilis (see -able). Not etymologically related to ability, though popularly connected with it.

gullible (adj.)

1821, apparently a back-formation from gullibility. Spelling gullable is attested from 1818.

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updated on May 01, 2015

Definitions of gullibility from WordNet

gullibility (n.)

tendency to believe too readily and therefore to be easily deceived;

Synonyms: credulousness

From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near gullibility

gules

gulf

gull

Gullah

gullet

gullibility

gullible

Gulliver

gully

gulp

gum