How to pronounce gullible
Say it like GUHL-uh-bul. Gullible has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GUHL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gullible. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GUHL
- uh
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gullible pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GUHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of gullible
American and British speakers say gullible in essentially the same way: /ˈɡʌləbəl/ in the US and /ˈɡʌlɪbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: GUHL-ih-bul.
What does gullible mean?
- 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.”
- A gullible person; someone easily fooled or tricked.
Where does gullible come from?
Origin uncertain. Either from gull (“to dupe, trick, fool”) + -ible; or alternatively from Middle English gole, goll, gol (“an unfledged bird, silly fellow”), perhaps from Old Norse gulr (“yellow, pale”), from the hue of its down.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying gullible
How do you pronounce gullible?
Say GUHL-uh-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡʌləbəl/. In British English it is /ˈɡʌlɪbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gullible?
Gullible has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GUHL). Broken into parts: GUHL · uh · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say gullible the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɡʌləbəl/ and the British form is /ˈɡʌlɪbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.