trusting

American  

[truhs-ting] / ˈtrʌs tɪŋ /

adjective

1. inclined to trust; confiding; trustful.

   a trusting child.

   Synonyms:

   unwary, naive, innocent, unsuspicious

---

Other Word Forms

• nontrusting
  adjective
• self-trusting
  adjective
• trustingly
  adverb
• trustingness
  noun
• untrusting
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of trusting

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; trust + -ing ²

Explanation

If you're trusting, you tend to believe what people tell you. A trusting friend will tell you her deepest secrets and trust that you'll keep them to yourself. Use the adjective trusting to describe people who always see the best in others. A trusting child believes everything you tell him and follows where you lead. A trusting dog will follow your commands and stick by your side. The verb trust means "to believe or have faith," and both words come from the Old Norse traust, "help or confidence," and are closely related to the Old English treowe, "have faith or confidence."

Example Sentences

And it’s a template for trusting that the courts will have your back if you have a meritorious case.

From Slate • May 18, 2026

“It’s obviously something he should’ve noticed. Either he was not paying attention, or was too trusting of these people,” said Hacopian, who isn’t involved in the governor’s race.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

Flick has accelerated Lamine Yamal's integration, trusting the teenager by creating tactical patterns that maximise his dribbling ability and creativity in one-on-one situations.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

Another key concern for investors is whether Berkshire can right the ship under Abel, after they got so used to trusting Buffett with their money.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

But trusting him with the classified details of my heart turned out to be a rookie mistake.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi