Chump

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /t͡ʃʌmp/

Definitions

1. A person perceived as naive or gullible can be easily manipulated or deceived by others, often highlighting a lack of discernment or wisdom in judgment
2. An individual characterized by a lack of awareness or insight is often exploited due to their gullibility, showing an inherent trust in others' intentions
3. Someone who is easily tricked or taken advantage of because they trust too readily ; a person who acts unwisely or lacks common sense

Etymology: The most striking thing about "chump" is that its literal sense was a lump or block, not a fool. The word first meant a thick, stumpy piece of wood or a chunk of something, and the sense of a dupe came later, probably as a figurative extension of that idea of a blunt, unfinished lump. Its origins are uncertain. Etymologists have proposed that it blends "chunk" with "lump" or "stump," or that it is a nasalised form of "chub," a word for something thick and round. Parallels appear in Old Norse "kubbr," meaning a block of wood, which suggests the core idea of a heavy chunk is ancient. The modern sense of a gullible or foolish person is a short step from a blockhead. "Chump" also has a sound-alike cousin, "chomp," a variant of "champ," meaning to bite. Some connection with that family of words has been suggested, though it remains unproven, and the relationship is best treated as a near relative rather than the source.

Synonyms: fool, dupe, patsy, sucker

Antonyms: smart person, genius, whiz