innocence

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noun in·no·cence \ˈi-nÉ™-sÉ™n(t)s\

: the state of being not guilty of a crime or other wrong act

: lack of experience with the world and with the bad things that happen in life

: lack of knowledge about something

Full Definition of INNOCENCE

1

a :  freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil :  blamelessness

b :  chastity

c :  freedom from legal guilt of a particular crime or offense

d (1) :  freedom from guile or cunning :  simplicity (2) :  lack of worldly experience or sophistication

e :  lack of knowledge :  ignorance <written in entire innocence of the Italian language — E. R. Bentley>

2

:  one that is innocent

3

:  bluet

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Examples of INNOCENCE

1. He vows that he will prove his innocence in court.
2. the trusting innocence of childhood
3. The age of innocence was over.

First Known Use of INNOCENCE

14th century

Related to INNOCENCE

Synonyms

blamelessness, faultlessness, guiltlessness, impeccability, innocency, irreproachability, irreproachableness

Antonyms

blameworthiness, culpability, guilt, guiltiness

Related Words

decency, goodness, honesty, incorruptibility, integrity, law-abidingness, righteousness, uprightness, virtuousness; morality, virtue; chastity, purity, sinlessness; harmlessness, inoffensiveness

Near Antonyms

blame, fault, responsibility; corruption, criminality, depravity, evil, immorality, reprehensibleness, sinfulness, wickedness; harmfulness, offensiveness