guilelessness
Americannoun
-
the quality of being sincere, straightforward, artless, etc..
He was known for a certain guilelessness—a genuine and spontaneous character rather than a shrewdly calculating one.
-
lack of awareness of the world and worldly things; innocence or naiveté.
In the past my guilelessness has put me at a disadvantage and made me vulnerable to the deception of others.
Etymology
Origin of guilelessness
First recorded in 1720–30; guileless ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As Cassio, Mr. Grant gives a likewise polished performance, full of youthful sincerity and guilelessness.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
He conveys an inherent sweetness, a sense of guilelessness and innocence that serves his portrayal as the protective oldest brother, and provides a contrast to his bulked-up physique.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 22, 2023
There is a rather astonishing guilelessness to his manner.
From Slate ● Mar. 3, 2023
“Licorice Pizza” establishes Haim as a revelatory and magnetic screen presence, a unique amalgamation of daffy, Carole Lombard screwball, early Sissy Spacek fresh-faced guilelessness, and an offbeat cartoon character’s nervy, can-do energy.
From New York Times ● Dec. 6, 2021
Problem was, with Rishi and his utter guilelessness, she felt guilty for her ferocity, for subjecting him to an entire lifetime of pent-up rage that had little to do with him.
From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
