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

Simpson continued to maintain his innocence in media interviews. —Emma Bowman, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024

Polls showed deep fissures between Black people and white people on the question of his innocence. —Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

With questions of his guilt or innocence very much unanswered, interest in Simpson in future years was seemingly evergreen. —Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Apr. 2024

But while Shohei may be not guilty of gambling, his innocence in another way led to this mess. —Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024

Majors, who has maintained his innocence, faced up to one year behind bars. —EW.com, 8 Apr. 2024

The ruling is a vindication of their long protests of innocence, said Paul Casteleiro, an attorney with Centurion who represents Grasty. —Eric Levenson, CNN, 31 Mar. 2024

Mea Culpa: Criminal defense attorney Mea Harper navigates a complex murder case, where determining her client's innocence reveals a web of secrets and desires, blurring lines between guilt and seduction. —Travis Bean, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

There is no presumption of innocence, and no possible appeal against conviction — even when the sentence is death. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 5 Apr. 2024

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