Meaning & use

innocence

noun·Academic

The state of not being guilty of a crime or wrongdoing.

See it in a sentence

The new evidence finally proved his innocence after ten years in prison.

The children played with an innocence that made the adults smile.

A note on using this word

Innocence also describes a lack of worldly experience or naivety, as in 'the innocence of childhood', distinct from legal innocence.

Words with a similar meaning

guiltlessnesspurity

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

guiltculpability

Make it your own

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