naively

Meanings

1. 1adverb

   In a way that shows a lack of experience or judgment, often by trusting too easily.

   Grammar: Modifies a verb or adjective: She naively believed him.

   Patterns

   • naively believe
   • naively assume
   • naively trust someone

   He naively believed that the offer was genuine.

   She naively assumed everyone would agree with her plan.

   They naively trusted the stranger with their savings.

2. 2adverb

   In a simple, innocent way, without knowledge of the world's complexities.

   Grammar: Can describe an innocent action without strong criticism: The child naively asked why people fight.

   Patterns

   • naively ask
   • naively think
   • naively expect

   The child naively asked why people go to war.

   She naively thought that everyone was kind.

   He naively expected the world to be fair.

Common combinations

naively believe

Many people naively believe that money brings happiness.

naively assume

I naively assumed the train would be on time.

naively trust

She naively trusted the email and lost her password.

naively think

He naively thought he could finish the project in one day.

Synonyms and how they differ

innocently

Focuses on lack of guilt or harm; naively often suggests a lack of experience that leads to mistakes.

gullibly

Stronger criticism, meaning easily tricked; naively is milder and can be sympathetic.

Opposites

Word family

naive adjective

Lacking experience or judgment; too trusting.

naivety noun

The quality of being naive.

naïf noun

A naive or innocent person, often in art.

Commonly confused: naively or natively?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “naively”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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