innocence

[in-uh-suhns]

noun

1. the quality or state of being innocent; freedom from sin or moral wrong.

2. freedom from legal or specific wrong; guiltlessness.

   The prisoner proved his innocence.

3. simplicity; absence of guile or cunning; naiveté.

4. lack of knowledge or understanding.

5. harmlessness; innocuousness.

6. chastity.

7. an innocent person or thing.

8. bluet.

9. blue-eyed Mary.

innocence

/ ˈɪnəsəns /

noun

1. Archaic word: innocency. the quality or state of being innocent

Other Word Forms

• superinnocence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of innocence¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English word from Latin word innocentia. See innocent, -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of innocence¹

C14: from Latin innocentia harmlessness, from innocēns doing no harm, blameless, from _in- ¹ + nocēns harming, from nocēre to hurt, harm; see _noxious

Example Sentences

Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry - who have both consistently maintained their innocence - were charged under the Official Secrets Act in April 2024.

Read more on BBC

The mere act of putting them through the criminal process ensures that they suffer, regardless of their guilt or innocence.

Read more on Salon

The boy’s face is at once peaceful and tired, his innocence shining through while the injustices of the world weigh heavy on his visage.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The filmmaker was drawn to one trait in particular: “The eyes of Jacob were incredibly soulful and incredibly profound, and he had a purity and a certain innocence,” Del Toro says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Comey had struck a defiant tone in his first public remarks on the indictment, declaring his innocence in a video posted on social media.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal