faux-naïf

American  

[foh-nah-eef] / ˈfoʊ nɑˈif /

adjective

1. marked by a pretense of simplicity or innocence; disingenuous.

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noun

1. a person who shrewdly affects an attitude or pose of simplicity or innocence.

faux-naïf British  

/ fonaif /

adjective

1. appearing or seeking to appear simple and unsophisticated

   a faux-naïf narration

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noun

1. a person who pretends to be naïve

Etymology

Origin of faux-naïf

From French, dating back to 1940–45; see origin at faux, naive

Explanation

Use the adjective faux-naif to describe behavior that pretends to be innocent or childlike. Your sister gets away with everything, because her faux-naif act (chin trembling and eyes filling with tears) always works on your parents. When someone is faux-naif, they're putting on a shrewd charade, pretending to be innocent or simple — actually, they know exactly what they're doing. A faux-naif bully might stick out a leg, tripping your friend, then say, "Gee whiz, sorry about that, I didn't know my leg was in your way!" In French, faux-naïf means "false naive" — naive has a Latin root meaning "natural."

Example Sentences

Stettheimer is beloved for her ultrafeminine faux-naïf style, expressed in richly detailed paintings that often featured her circle of friends, including the artist Marcel Duchamp, the writer Carl Van Vechten, and the sculptor Elie Nadelman.

From New York Times • Feb. 7, 2021

The Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, N.H., had one of her utterly original, droll, faux-naïf sculptural ensembles.

From Washington Post • Apr. 10, 2018

Logan Vaughn’s direction is overactive and the character’s faux-naïf posture and formal diction are sometimes exasperating.

From New York Times • Aug. 2, 2015

Andrea Heimer’s acrylic/pencil works on wood panel push a similar faux-naïf sensibility in a different thematic direction, with scenes of Sweet 16 parties and other innocent activities taking a chaotic or surreal turn.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 19, 2013

Unusual, affecting, narrated in a deceptive faux-naïf style, this book won Williams the National Book Tokens Not Yet Published prize.

From The Guardian • Mar. 27, 2010