English Lexicon

Innocence

/ˈɪn.ə.səns/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #3400 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The state of being innocent; lack of guilt or wrongdoing.

    "The child's innocence was evident in her joyful laughter."
  2. 2

    A lack of experience or sophistication; naivety.

    "His innocence about the complexities of adult life was charming."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the Latin innocentia, from innocentem meaning 'harmless' or 'guiltless', composed of the negative prefix in- ('not') and nocere ('to hurt or harm'). Entering Middle English via Old French in the 14th century, the word initially denoted harmlessness before shifting toward moral purity and a lack of guilt or legal culpability.

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