Meaning & use
naivete
Last updated
A lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment, often shown as excessive trust or simplicity.
See it in a sentence
His naivete about business dealings cost him a great deal of money.
There was a certain charm in her naivete when she first arrived in the city.
A note on using this word
Borrowed from French; also spelled 'naïveté' or 'naivety,' and can describe either an endearing innocence or a costly lack of judgment.
Words with a similar meaning
innocencecredulity
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
sophisticationworldliness
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “naivete”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.