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

• blamelessness
• faultlessness
• guiltlessness
• impeccability
• innocency
• irreproachability
• irreproachableness

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

Pistorius continued to maintain his innocence throughout his subsequent murder trials. —Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024

Chapman filed a petition for a pardon of innocence with then-Gov. Bev Perdue, a Democrat, in 2011 and met with her attorneys but never got an answer. —Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2024

Trump pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence. —Peter Aitken, Fox News, 31 May 2024

His decision not to testify reflects a calculated legal strategy aimed at minimizing risks while maintaining his stance of innocence. —Roland Oputa, The Mercury News, 30 May 2024

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