faux-naïf

[foh-nah-eef]

adjective

marked by a pretense of simplicity or innocence; disingenuous.

noun

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

Origin of faux-naïf

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for faux-naif

faux-naïf

adjective

appearing or seeking to appear simple and unsophisticateda faux-naïf narration

noun

a person who pretends to be naïve

Word Origin for faux-naïf

French: false naïve

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012