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

At a clemency hearing last month, Pavatt maintained his innocence and claimed Brenda Andrew had manipulated him. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026

His longstanding claims of innocence have drawn support from Kim Kardashian and other prominent figures. — ABC News, 12 Nov. 2026

There have been many instances of state attorneys general, including in California, refusing to allow DNA testing to proceed to prove a death row individual’s innocence. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026

An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain his or her innocence while acknowledging that the evidence the prosecution had would likely end with a conviction. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 10 Nov. 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