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

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

Blanche’s loss of innocence seeds an interesting tension as the situation comes to a head. —Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Dodge’s own mother becomes certain of Tapp’s innocence after watching recordings of his interrogation, sparking a yearslong search for the truth before police can question the real killer. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2024

Although Majors maintained his innocence and claimed Jabbari was the aggressor that night, a jury found Majors guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment in December. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2024

His attorney said Montano, who maintains his innocence, would appeal the sentence. —Olivia Diaz, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024

Forti isn't the first person in prison to maintain his innocence. —CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024

Majors, 34, maintained his innocence during the criminal case. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2024

Before leaving to go back to the station, Benza and several sergeants walked into the 7-Eleven, according to a 32-page innocence petition Beck filed in court on Brock’s behalf. —Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 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