innocence

[ in-uh-suhns ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being innocent; freedom from sin or moral wrong.
2. freedom from legal or specific wrong; guiltlessness:

   The prisoner proved his innocence.

3. simplicity; absence of guile or cunning; naiveté.
4. lack of knowledge or understanding.
5. harmlessness; innocuousness.
6. chastity.
7. an innocent person or thing.
8. bluet ( def 1 ).
9. blue-eyed Mary.

innocence

/ ˈɪnəsəns /

noun

1. the quality or state of being innocent Archaic wordinnocencyˈɪnəsənsɪ

Other Words From

• super·inno·cence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of innocence¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English word from Latin word innocentia. See innocent, -ence

Word History and Origins

Origin of innocence¹

C14: from Latin innocentia harmlessness, from innocēns doing no harm, blameless, from in- ¹+ nocēns harming, from nocēre to hurt, harm; see noxious

Example Sentences

He read from a rambling 21-page statement, reasserting his innocence and airing grievances against the criminal justice system.

From Ozy

He maintains his innocence, said he regrets not coming out sooner but said he assumed his constituents knowing would “not go over well.”

From Washington Blade

Navlakha, who is in his 60s, has said he maintains his innocence and is worried about receiving a fair and speedy trial.

From Fortune

Lee professed his innocence and fought the actions, typically settling for discounted amounts.

From ProPublica

The official believed his innocence, according to Jefferson, but cited his “reputational risk” still driven, a year after his exoneration, by the allegations whenever he is Googled.

From Washington Post

“The innocence of young people must be preserved at all costs,” said Glees.

From The Daily Beast

He did not plead guilty, and has regularly filed petitions in an effort to prove his innocence.

From The Daily Beast

But I remain in prison on these baseless allegations while waiting for the chance to prove my innocence.

From The Daily Beast

We look forward to proving their innocence and to their complete vindication before a trial court.

From The Daily Beast

And there were much wider protests later in 2012 after the anti-Islam movie trailer, “Innocence of Muslims,” appeared on YouTube.

From The Daily Beast

Stung to the soul, Louis threw himself at her feet, to proclaim his innocence of all these inferences, before heaven and her.

From Project Gutenberg

The soul's confessions of that dear young lady were delightful in their naïve innocence.

From Project Gutenberg

Beware of ignorance which assumes the mask of knowledge, or of designing roguery which apes the appearance of innocence.

From Project Gutenberg

We stayed at the Pera Palace Hotel, and the first night after dinner, in our innocence, strolled out.

From Project Gutenberg

Her face, too, was inexpressibly virginal in its expression of innocence and of melancholy suffering.

From Project Gutenberg