naiveté

or na·ïve·té, na·ive·te

[ nah-eev-tey, -ee-vuh-tey, -eev-tey, -ee-vuh- ]

/ nɑ ivˈteɪ, -ˌi vəˈteɪ, -ˈiv teɪ, -ˈi və- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR naiveté ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the quality or state of being naive; natural or artless simplicity.

a naive action, remark, etc.

Nearby words

Origin of naiveté

1665–75; < French; see naive, ity2

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for naivete

Charges of naivete, cluelessness, and “nonsense demagoguery” were hurled back and forth.
On CPAC Day 2, the Libertarian Wing Takes Over|Michelle Cottle|March 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Our naivete would soon force me to make a decision that would tip the balance of the campaign.
Life After AIPAC's False Dichotomies|Angela Zimmann|September 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In our naivete, we sometimes go rushing in where angels fear to tread.
Life After AIPAC's False Dichotomies|Angela Zimmann|September 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The program began to teeter under the weight of its own outsized expectations, questionable staffing decisions, and naivete.
Send in the Marines—and the Anthropologists too?|John Kael Weston|August 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST

At times the optimism bordered on naivete, suggesting possible conflicts down the road.
The Rebel Freshmen|Benjamin Sarlin|November 15, 2010|DAILY BEAST
"And he'll walk before me," responded Theodose with a naivete that touched the old maid.
The Lesser Bourgeoisie|Honore de Balzac
Aladdin, talking eagerly and with the naivete of a child, wondered why he had never liked this man so much before.
Aladdin O'Brien|Gouverneur Morris
All this she said with a charming air of naivete which enraptured while it grieved and convinced me.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe|Edgar Allan Poe
His naivete and innocence had been abused; and abominable things had gone on under his roof without his knowledge.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete|Emile Zola
But all he said was so prettily sedate, and the naivete of his youthful egotism was so obvious, that he disarmed his hearers.
War and Peace|Leo Tolstoy

Word Origin and History for naivete

naivete

1670s, from French naïveté, from Old French naiveté "genuineness, authenticity," literally "native disposition" (see naive). Englished form naivety is attested from 1708.