naïf

1 of 2

noun

na·​ïf nä-ˈēf 

variants or naif

: a naive person

naïf

2 of 2

adjective

variants or naif

: naive

Synonyms of naïf

Adjective

• naive
• green
• innocent
• inexperienced

Examples of naïf in a Sentence

Adjective

the senator, newly elected and still naïf, will learn soon enough how Washington really works

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rogan, wearing his persona as a babe-in-the-woods naif, listened to this nonsense in slack-jawed stupefaction. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024

There is a risk of turning Artie into a naif, but in her careful, close observations, his depths become increasingly legible. — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026

Adjective

Colorful naif pictures by Katie Hickey and text arranged in substantial chunks make this perfect for browsing by young readers with an interest in engineering or architecture. — Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French

First Known Use

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1598, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing naïf

• faux-naïf