guileless

adjective

guile·​less ˈgī(-ə)l-ləs 

: innocent, naive

a straightforward man with a guileless smile

guilelessly adverb

guilelessness noun

Synonyms of guileless

• unaffected
• genuine
• honest
• innocent
• simple
• true
• naive

Examples of guileless in a Sentence

she was an easygoing, guileless young woman who was comfortable just being herself

Recent Examples on the Web

The guileless Lowen gobbles it up, spinning an elaborate fantasy about the woman Verity was before the accident. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

In a film full of surfaces — Pattinson’s TV-ready sheen, a physical landscape dominated by ever-present screens — his guileless vulnerability provides necessary depth. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

But Northeast’s performance, which emanates joy and a guileless sensuality, deserves to be as much of a launchpad to stardom. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026

But perhaps the performance that lingers most in our minds is that of Elliot Page, 39, who in just a few short scenes anchors the film with his guileless sincerity and righteous anger. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 19 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

see guile

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

guileless

adjective

guile·​less ˈgī(ə)l-ləs 

: not sly or tricky : innocent, naïve

a guileless person

a guileless smile

guilelessly adverb

guilelessness noun