What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
innocent
Example
The jury found the defendant innocent of all charges. [innocent: adjective]
Example
She had an innocent look on her face, as if she didn't know what was going on. [innocent: adjective]
Example
The child's laughter was innocent and pure. [innocent: adjective]
naive
Example
He was naive to think that he could get rich quick. [naive: adjective]
Example
She was too naive to realize that he was lying to her. [naive: adjective]
Example
The plot of the movie was too naive for my taste. [naive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Innocent is more commonly used than naive in everyday language. Innocent can be used in various contexts, including legal, moral, and emotional, while naive is more limited and is usually used to describe a person's personality or behavior.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between innocent and naive?
Innocent is more formal than naive. Innocent is often used in legal or moral contexts, while naive is more informal and is usually used in casual conversation or writing.
