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 dismissal is a procedural ruling, not a finding of innocence. —Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 2 June 2026

But Steve still maintains his daughter's innocence, speaking on Wednesday's episode of the True Crime This Week podcast to make the case once more. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026

From beginning to end, there’s a joyfulness and a boyish innocence to IOI’s new iteration of the character, which surprised me. —Alex James Kane, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

Lewis brings both fragility and resilience to Sarah, capturing the character's innocence and hope while underscoring the quiet strength that carries her through the show's darkest moments. —Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 31 May 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