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