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; see origin at 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

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

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2019

“It’s a celebration of the curious authenticity — the innocence, the sweetness, the guiltless pleasure — of music whose badness is sometimes hard to separate from its genius.”

From New York Times • Jul. 8, 2017

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

From Washington Post • Mar. 24, 2017

Luther Windham looked up with a stern, proconsular gaze that began to come apart around his eyes and mouth when he saw Bull’s bright and guiltless smile.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy