innocence
Americannoun
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the quality or state of being innocent; freedom from sin or moral wrong.
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freedom from legal or specific wrong; guiltlessness.
The prisoner proved his innocence.
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simplicity; absence of guile or cunning; naiveté.
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lack of knowledge or understanding.
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harmlessness; innocuousness.
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an innocent person or thing.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of innocence
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English word from Latin word innocentia. See innocent, -ence
Explanation
Innocence means you’ve done nothing wrong. You’ve broken no laws, committed no sins, and are not guilty of any morally evil act. Well done. In a courtroom, a defendant might announce their innocence, claiming they did not commit whatever crime they’re accused of. Innocence is very important in many religions, where your moral purity decides what happens to your soul after you die. The word comes from the Latin innocentia, which means “not harming” and someone with innocence will not harm themselves or others, at least not on purpose. Remember that there are no ss in innocence, so spell it with two cs.
Vocabulary lists containing innocence
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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.
"The one thing that stands out for me was the confidence that I had and the fearlessness and the enjoyment that I had on the court - it was more of an innocence," she says.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
He has maintained his innocence and said in a March statement that he wants to return to work.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
Levi described being deeply shaken by his encounter with the book, and by the guilt that torments Josef K despite his innocence.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
Kouri Richins, 36, maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
In the end no one was left, and the she-goats and the he-goats returned from the hills whence they had fled, and they looked in innocence at the death camp of the people.
From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya
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.
