Definition of innocent
1a : free from guilt or sin especially through lack of knowledge of evil : blameless an innocent childb : harmless in effect or intention searching for a hidden motive in even the most innocent conversation — Leonard Wibberley; also : candid gave me an innocent gazec : free from legal guilt or fault; also : lawful a wholly innocent transaction
2a : lacking or reflecting a lack of sophistication, guile, or self-consciousness : artless, ingenuousb : ignorant almost entirely innocent of Latin — C. L. Wrenn; also : unaware perfectly innocent of the confusion he had created — B. R. Haydon
3 : lacking or deprived of something her face innocent of cosmetics — Marcia Davenport
innocent
nouninnocently
adverbExplore M-W
Examples of innocent in a Sentence
He says that he is innocent of the crime.
She was found innocent of all charges.
A person accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty.
Someone told your secret, but it wasn't me. I'm innocent.
Recent Examples of innocent from the Web
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Covington, 58, has pleaded innocent to one count each of kidnapping and assault.
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Derek Mason's intent appeared innocent but the comment still stuck out.
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Thus, innocent defendants may not be shackled at any point in the courtroom unless there is an individualized showing of need.
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The Awkward Olympic challenges are very elementary and innocent, but provide for huge entertainment and the opportunity for the audience to grow in self-confidence and acceptance.
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A unanimous Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with sheriff’s deputies in a legal dispute stemming from 2010, when an innocent couple was shot while California deputies searched for a wanted man.
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As overall stops declined and fewer people were affected, officers were also stopping fewer innocent people.
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That was the kid whose innocent interaction with Contreras during a rain delay in the Cubs' 6-3 loss the Brewers attracted 2.1 million views on the Cubs' Facebook page —– and counting.
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What’s the difference between last Monday’s suicide bomb attack at a pop concert in Manchester, England, and the 1975 Fraunces Tavern bombing in New York that also killed the innocent?
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'innocent'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of innocent
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin innocent-, innocens, from in- + nocent-, nocens wicked, from present participle of nocēre to harm — more at noxious
First Known Use: 14th century
Innocent
playDefinition of Innocent
name of 13 popes: especially II died 1143 (pope 1130–43); III 1160(or 1161)–1216 (pope 1198–1216); IV died 1254 (pope 1243–54); XI 1611–1689 (pope 1676–89)
INNOCENT Defined for English Language Learners
innocent
playDefinition of innocent for English Language Learners
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: not guilty of a crime or other wrong act
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: not deserving to be harmed
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: lacking experience with the world and the bad things that happen in life
INNOCENT Defined for Kids
Medical Dictionary
Law Dictionary
innocent
playLegal Definition of innocent
: characterized by innocence
Learn More about innocent
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for innocent Spanish Central: Translation of innocent Nglish: Translation of innocent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of innocent for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about innocent
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