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

The 48-year-old, who pleaded not guilty in 2020, took the stand in his defense last week, reaffirming his claim of innocence. —Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025

His request to keep Morales’ bond at $5 million was denied when Murphy acquiesced a request made by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howard S. Stein to raise bail by $2.5 million now that Morales no longer has the presumption of innocence. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025

That is certainly the case here…All of this new evidence is more than sufficient to state a prima facie showing of Petitioner’s innocence. —Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025

The Vermont resident maintained his innocence until his death at age 29, in spite of damning allegations from his three maternal aunts, as well as police and prosecutors. —Kc Baker, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025

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