different between simpleton vs gullible

English

Etymology

simple +? -ton (as in a surname). Abbreviation of simple Tony or Anthony (Grose 1811 Dictionary). Compare French simplet, Italian semplicione.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?s?mp?lt?n/

Noun

simpleton (plural simpletons)

1. (derogatory) A simple-minded person lacking common sense.
   • 2001 — Eoin Colfer, Artemis Fowl, p 92

     The stranger had crossed a sacred line. He had mentioned the men's mothers. Nothing could get him out of a beating now, even the fact that he was obviously a simpleton. Albeit a simpleton with a good vocabulary.

Translations

Further reading

• simpleton on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

English

Etymology

Either gull +? -ible, or from dialectal Middle English gull (“newly hatched bird”), perhaps from Old Norse gulr, from the hue of its down.

Pronunciation

• (General American, Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /???l?bl?/

Adjective

gullible (comparative more gullible, superlative most gullible)

1. Easily deceived or duped; naive, easily cheated or fooled.

   Andrew is so gullible, the way he still believes in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and the Sandman at the age of fourteen.

Synonyms

• fleeceable, green, naif, naive
• See also Thesaurus:gullible

Derived terms

• gullibility
• gullibly

Translations

Noun

gullible (plural gullibles)

1. A gullible person; someone easily fooled or tricked.
   • 1991, Guy Endore, Babouk: Voices of Resistance (page 70)

     They pictured to these gullibles the unearthly delights that were to be enjoyed as servants of the Spaniards. But such tricks could not last, for Cuba was too close to Saint Domingue, and news of the real conditions leaked across the windward passage and were bruited about.

References

Anagrams

• bluegill