What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ingénue
Example
She played the ingénue in the play, portraying a young and naive girl. [ingénue: noun]
Example
The actress's performance as the ingénue was praised for her portrayal of innocence. [ingénue: adjective]
naive
Example
He was naive to believe that he could get rich quick without working hard. [naive: adjective]
Example
She was too naive to realize that the offer was a scam. [naive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Naive is more commonly used than ingénue in everyday language. Naive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ingénue is less common and is typically used in the context of theater or film.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ingénue and naive?
Ingénue is more formal and literary, while naive is more casual and commonly used in everyday language. Therefore, naive is more appropriate for informal conversations, while ingénue is more suitable for formal or literary contexts.
