faux-naïf

[foh-nah-eef]

adjective

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

noun

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

faux-naïf

/ fonaif /

adjective

1. appearing or seeking to appear simple and unsophisticated

   a faux-naïf narration

noun

1. a person who pretends to be naïve

Word History and Origins

Origin of faux-naïf¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of faux-naïf¹

French: false naïve

Example Sentences

She paints a thick inky black-on-white, in a faux-naïf pastiche of East and West.

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With his faux-naïf manner, Earl enters into his new life of crime with an ironically bland air of innocence.

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

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Todd Bienvenu paints both oil and acrylic in a faux-naïf style of broad approximate strokes, bright high-contrast colors and heavy impasto.

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When this meets a blank stare, she clarifies: “The young faux-naïf making up to the aging star. It’s called ‘All About Eve.’ ”

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