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

At that time, no one believed a dingo would take an infant and, despite her claims of innocence, the baby’s mother Lindy Chamberlain was jailed for murder. —Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026

Bartelt was found guilty in Blodgett's death, and sentenced to life in prison without parole, despite his defense maintaining his innocence. —Mason Leath, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2026

Together, Garza and Meija's appellate attorneys convinced the trial court of her innocence. —Tony Plohetski, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026

Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot on Wednesday asked commissioners to sign a resolution acknowledging Walker's innocence after finding he was coerced into a confession and convicted by an all-White jury. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 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