innocence

noun

in·​no·​cence ˈi-nə-sən(t)s 

1

a

: freedom from legal guilt of a particular crime or offense

b

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

c

: lack of knowledge : ignorance

… written in entire innocence of the Italian language.

—E. R. Bentley

d(1)

: freedom from guile or cunning : simplicity

(2)

: lack of worldly experience or sophistication

e

: chastity

2

: one that is innocent

3

: bluet

Synonyms of innocence

• innocency
• purity

Examples of innocence in a Sentence

He vows that he will prove his innocence in court.

the trusting innocence of childhood

The age of innocence was over.

Recent Examples on the Web

Under California law, prisoners seeking parole may not be penalized for failing to admit wrongdoing, so Kovacich’s claim of innocence was not used against him, Tellman said. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026

Heuermann had maintained his innocence and previously pleaded not guilty. —Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026

Heuermann, 62, who is charged with killing seven women, has maintained his innocence since his arrest in Midtown Manhattan on July 13, 2023, for the slayings of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. —Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026

And Bowen has a masterful ability to give us both Portia’s innocence and a sense of how people who grow up without their parents don’t know how to grow into their emotions. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing innocence

• in all innocence

Kids Definition

innocence

noun

in·​no·​cence ˈin-ə-sən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being innocent

Legal Definition

innocence

noun

in·​no·​cence ˈi-nə-səns 

: freedom from fault or guilt under the law: as

a

: the state of not being guilty of a particular crime or offense compare guilt

b

: the state of not being guilty of an act that constitutes a ground for divorce

c

: ignorance on the part of a party to a transaction of facts that would lead a person of ordinary prudence to make inquiries