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

• 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

In addition to receiving his literary gifts with sometimes maddening innocence, rural Kansas made the pleasant discovery that Truman Capote’s personal characteristics are accented by an irrepressible capacity for enjoyment. —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025

The 70-year-old former statesman, who was acquitted of personally receiving or using the funds, has continued to profess his innocence. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025

The attack aimed to preserve the Romantic ideal of childhood innocence, not to deny the boy’s gift. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025

Central to that gag was Carpenter’s ability to coyly project innocence. —Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 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