guiltless

American  

[gilt-lis] / ˈgɪlt lɪs /

adjective

1. free from guilt; innocent.

2. having no knowledge or experience; innocent (usually followed byof ).

3. destitute or devoid (usually followed byof ).

   a house guiltless of any charm.

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guiltless British  

/ ˈɡɪltlɪs /

adjective

1. free of all responsibility for wrongdoing or crime; innocent

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Related Words

See innocent.

Other Word Forms

• guiltlessly adverb
• guiltlessness noun

Etymology

Origin of guiltless

Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200; guilt, -less

Example Sentences

Even if we are not directly responsible for someone’s plummeting into destitution, are we guiltless if we refuse to erect adequate and durable safety nets?

From Seattle Times • Apr. 14, 2022

By the time the play proper starts, we are all guiltless cultural appropriators.

From New York Times • Aug. 9, 2021

Aside from her business arrangement, offering gifts to journalists is equally lax in guiltless rectitude.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2019

It’s not that Berlin’s most accomplished police sleuth is guiltless.

From Washington Post • Mar. 24, 2017

She wanted the inspector to embrace her and comfort her and forgive her, however guiltless she was.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan