innocence

American  

[in-uh-suhns] / ˈɪn ə səns /

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.

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innocence British  

/ ˈɪnəsəns /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• superinnocence noun

Etymology

Origin of innocence

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

Example Sentences

Piantedosi thanked police for their work in a post on X, but also noted that "the presumption of innocence... must always be recognised at this stage".

From BBC

“I’m seeing a bit of the innocence of childhood coming back,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Najib's lawyers claim that he had been misled by his advisers - in particular the financier Jho Low, who has maintained his innocence but remains at large.

From BBC

Nor, with the investigation of the couple’s deaths still underway, can anyone make any assumptions about Nick’s innocence or guilt.

From Salon

But the Sardinas were completely sincere and Jackman and Hudson honor their innocence by playing them straight.

From Los Angeles Times