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

As Troy, his signature wide-eyed, guileless delivery of sarcasm is a first line of defense that softens as his understanding of the Russian people, including his companion, grows. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Her sincerity, combined with her slow Texas drawl, had an unembarrassed, guileless quality to it. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

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

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

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