credulity
/kɹɪˈduːlɪti/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.33 in modern English
15
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
4
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A willingness to believe in someone or something in the absence of reasonable proof; credulousness.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "a tall story that strains credulity"
- "These testosterone thumpers have repackaged and exaggerated the study, with a credulity born of zealotry, into articles with shitposty titles like “Trust The Science: Study Links Left-Wing Politics to Lower Testosterone,” casting it as hard proof of their hormonal theories of healthy politics."
- "Do you think Mr. Allworthy hath more contempt for money than other men because he professes more? Such credulity would better become one of us weak women, than that wise sex which heaven hath formed for politicians. Indeed, brother, you would make a fine plenipo to negotiate with the French."
- "As Challenger spoke of his pterodactyl I glanced at Professor Summerlee, and for the first time I seemed to see some signs of a dawning credulity and repentance. There was no sneer upon his thin lips, but, on the contrary, a gray, drawn look of excitement and amazement. Challenger saw it, too, and reveled in the first taste of victory."
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English credulite (“faith, belief”), borrowed from Middle French credulité (French crédulité), from Latin crēdulitās. Corresponding to credulous + -ity (compare credulosity).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: *ḱerd-, credulite, credulité, crēdulitās
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /kɹɪˈduːlɪti/
- British English: /kɹɪˈd͡ʒuːlɪti/