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

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

Bratty, guileless Toni and Shakira emerged victorious, of course. — Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 27 June 2026

But her star rose and that joyful, beautiful, rather guileless young woman trying to stay cool in a hot city summer lives forever. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 June 2026

And yet the track that perhaps best represents Orange’s guileless spirit is the one tune here Presley didn’t write. — Stuart Berman, Pitchfork, 29 Apr. 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