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 that case, his pleas of innocence rang loudly enough to attract a KQED documentary crew, which covered Mutch’s struggles to gain parole after four decades behind bars and 21 denials from the parole board. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025

Wood brought an innocence and free-spirited energy on The White Lotus season 3 as Chelsea. —Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025

Students worry that if they are falsely accused, there is no way to prove their innocence. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025

Handcrafted swings made from local olive wood hang throughout the resort, evoking a sense of innocence and carefree luxury. —Caitlin Palumbo, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 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