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

One of the most striking debates surrounding Mangione is about whether support should be predicated on his guilt or innocence. —Lorena O'Neil, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025

Many of the films referenced explore innocence, first love, growth and all the things that echo Belly’s journey. —Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 24 Nov. 2025

The nineteen-fifties and sixties and even the early seventies were still a time of innocence and hope in Pakistan, echoed around the world in the florescence of the hippies and yippies and the dancing youth. —Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025

The city’s temptations dragged them out of that car, away from innocence. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Nov. 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