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 of innocence

• 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

The death of Joyce is also the deletion of whatever was left of Buffy’s innocence. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026

Believing in her innocence, Shade and Everett dive headfirst back into the high-stakes world of investigation. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026

The point is that an inquisition’s social cost is so high that its victims’ guilt or innocence is only part of the accounting. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Shlosberg, who described the war during his trial as a catastrophe for Russia, maintained his innocence and said the case against him was political. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

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