ingénue

or in·ge·nue

[ an-zhuh-noo, -nyoo; French an-zhey-ny ]

noun

, plural in·gé·nues [an, -zh, uh, -nooz, -nyooz, a, n, -zhey-, ny].

1. an artless, innocent, unworldly girl or young woman:

   Navy and cocoa browns are good neutrals for the ingénue, and the right creamy beige or pearl gray are good choices for her more classic outfits.

2. the role of a young, innocent, and appealing character in a play, movie, TV show, etc., typically a female role.
3. an actress or actor who plays such a role or specializes in playing such roles.
4. a young actress or actor:

   At the awards event, natural diamonds were the gemstone of choice for both Hollywood ingenues and veterans alike.

5. a young, inexperienced person:

   The ailing leader Kim Jong Il sought to transfer power to his youngest son, a political ingenue in his 20s.

ingénue

/ ɛ̃ʒeny; ˌænʒeɪˈnjuː /

noun

1. an artless, innocent, or inexperienced girl or young woman

Word History and Origins

Origin of ingénue¹

First recorded in 1840–50; from French, feminine of ingénu, from Latin ingenuus “native, inborn”; ingenuous; ingenuity ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ingénue¹

C19: from French, feminine of ingénu ingenuous

Example Sentences

"As a group, it's fascinating to see the change from ingénue to style icon," said Kerry Taylor.

From The Daily Beast

The lady in the angel costume and the Iowan ingénue starting a Times Square dance party, just like real life.

From The Daily Beast

It seems more a film about a demented ingénue than a politician.

From The Daily Beast

Peppy Miller (Berenice Béjo) is the admiring ingénue who gets her big break on the soundstage.

From The Daily Beast

Jane and her father acted together in a community production at the Dennis Playhouse, with Jane playing the role of the ingénue.

From The Daily Beast

Et il tressaille de jumeler le nonchaloir de sa jeunesse au renouveau de la belle ingénue.

From Project Gutenberg

Even the most absolute ingénue is conscious that she is an ingénue, and Marian Fletcher was by no means that.

From Project Gutenberg

For even now every day of her life seemed to this enjoying Welsh ingénue, packed with thrills.

From Project Gutenberg

"You're getting too old for this eternal ingénue business, Sonia," I said.

From Project Gutenberg

But where in the world should we find a really ingenuous Ingénue?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• artist
• character
• clown
• comedian
• entertainer
• performer
• player
• star
• villain