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.

9. blue-eyed Mary.

innocence

/ ˈɪnəsəns /

noun

1. Archaic word: innocency. the quality or state of being innocent

Other Word Forms

• superinnocence 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

"Until the proceedings are concluded, the presumption of innocence applies," he added.

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Protesting his innocence, he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

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“It’s a visual of innocence for this girl to wear these grown-up shoes with a heel, and then pair them with these youthful bobby socks,” he explained of Dorothy.

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But you can never recapture the innocence of youth or the innocence of the time.

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The perpetrator would have to keep at least one clue from his victims to feign innocence, but a subtle inconsistency would allow others to infer his guilt.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal