trusting

American  

[truhs-ting] / ˈtrʌs tɪŋ /

adjective

1. inclined to trust; confiding; trustful.

   a trusting child.

   Synonyms:

   unwary, naive, innocent, unsuspicious

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

The game belongs to the ones playing in the rain, for nothing—running into open space, trusting they’ll be found.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

Lawsuits by the trustee and investors also allege McClain’s lender, Rabo AgriFinance, was negligent in trusting McClain’s word that he had bought 87,000 cattle with its money.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

Having developed a trusting relationship with Yarrow in his solo shoot, Haaland - "the unofficial voice of the team" - was keen to involve the photographer in their World Cup preparations.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

I get what she’s doing here: Part of motherhood is trusting that if you do it right, your child will have no problem leaving the nest.

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026

“Thank you for trusting me with all of that. I can see what a burden it’s been for you.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam