ingenuous Definition
- 1(of a person or action) innocent and unsuspecting
- 2simple and honest, showing childlike innocence
Using ingenuous: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ingenuous" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He was so ingenuous that I couldn't help but trust him.
Example
Her ingenuous smile made everyone feel at ease.
Example
The ingenuous approach to problem-solving often yields the best results.
ingenuous Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with ingenuous
Example
Her ingenuous charm won over even the most skeptical members of the audience.
a question that is asked in a sincere and straightforward manner, without any hidden agenda
Example
His ingenuous question caught the speaker off guard.
a comment that is made in a spontaneous and honest way, without any attempt to deceive or manipulate
Example
Her ingenuous remark revealed a deep understanding of the issue at hand.
Origins of ingenuous
from Latin 'ingenuus', meaning 'inborn, native'
Summary: ingenuous in Brief
'Ingenuous' [ɪnˈdʒenjuəs] describes a person or action that is innocent, unsuspecting, and honest, often with a childlike quality. It can refer to a person's behavior, such as an 'ingenuous smile,' or a problem-solving approach, as in 'The ingenuous approach to problem-solving often yields the best results.' Synonyms include 'naive' and 'unsuspecting,' while antonyms include 'cunning' and 'deceitful.'