What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
credulous
Example
He was so credulous that he believed everything the salesman told him. [credulous: adjective]
Example
The con artist took advantage of her credulity and swindled her out of her life savings. [credulity: noun]
naive
Example
She was naive to think that everyone was as honest as she was. [naive: adjective]
Example
His naive approach to business led to his company's downfall. [naivete: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Naive is more commonly used than credulous in everyday language. Naive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while credulous is less common and has a more specific meaning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between credulous and naive?
Both credulous and naive are considered formal words, but credulous may be perceived as more formal due to its less frequent usage.
