Meaning of innocent in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈɪnəsənt/

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   UK accent

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1. Classifying Adjective

   innocent

   Definitions

   1. lacking intent or capacity to injure

   Examples

   • « an innocent prank »

   Synonyms

   • harmless
2. 2. free from sin

   Synonyms

   • virtuous
3. 3. lacking in sophistication or worldliness

   Examples

   • « a child's innocent stare »
   • « his ingenuous explanation that he would not have burned the church if he had not thought the bishop was in it »

   Synonyms

   • naive
   • naif
4. 4. used of things

   Examples

   • « lacking sense or awareness »
   • « ignorant hope »
   • « fine innocent weather »

   Synonyms

   • unconscious

5. Noun

   innocent

   Definitions

   1. a person who lacks knowledge of evil

6. Qualitative Adjective

   innocent

   Etymology

   Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin innocent-‘not harming’, from in-‘not’ + nocere‘to hurt’

   Definitions

   1. free from evil or guilt

   Examples

   • « an innocent child »
   • « the principle that one is innocent until proved guilty »

   Synonyms

   • absolved
   • clear
   • cleared
   • exculpated
   • exonerated
   • vindicated
   • acquitted
   • not guilty
   • blameless
   • inculpable
   • irreproachable
   • unimpeachable

   Antonyms

   • guilty

See also

• exculpatory
• righteous