guiltless
Americanadjective
-
free from guilt; innocent.
-
having no knowledge or experience; innocent (usually followed byof ).
-
destitute or devoid (usually followed byof ).
a house guiltless of any charm.
adjective
Synonym Usage
See innocent.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of guiltless
Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200; see origin at guilt, -less
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.
Vance was also, in effect, portraying the American military personnel who sank the boats as trigger-happy, prone to mistake a fishing boat for a drug vessel and feeling guiltless about doing so.
From Slate ● Sep. 18, 2025
Even if we are not directly responsible for someone’s plummeting into destitution, are we guiltless if we refuse to erect adequate and durable safety nets?
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 14, 2022
Aside from her business arrangement, offering gifts to journalists is equally lax in guiltless rectitude.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2019
It’s not that Berlin’s most accomplished police sleuth is guiltless.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 24, 2017
She wanted the inspector to embrace her and comfort her and forgive her, however guiltless she was.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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.
