innocence

[ˈɪnəsəns]

innocence Definition

• 1. the state of being not guilty of a crime or offense
• 2. lack of experience, knowledge, or understanding
• 3. the quality of being pure and untainted

Using innocence: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "innocence" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The court declared his innocence and released him from prison.

• Example

  She had an air of innocence about her that made her seem younger than she was.

• Example

  The child's innocence was evident in the way she smiled at everyone.

innocence Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for innocence

• purity
• naivety
• simplicity
• guiltlessness
• harmlessness

Antonyms for innocence

• guilt
• culpability
• corruption

Phrases with innocence

• presumption of innocence

  the principle that a person is considered innocent until proven guilty

  Example

  The presumption of innocence is a fundamental right in most legal systems.

• loss of innocence

  the transition from a state of naivety or purity to one of experience or corruption

  Example

  The novel explores the theme of loss of innocence through the protagonist's coming-of-age story.

• guilty by association

  the assumption of guilt based on one's association with someone who is guilty

  Example

  He was fired from his job due to guilty by association after his business partner was convicted of fraud.

Origins of innocence

from Old French 'innocence', from Latin 'innocentia', from 'in-' (not) + 'nocere' (to harm)

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Summary: innocence in Brief

Innocence [ˈɪnəsəns] is a noun that refers to the state of being not guilty of a crime or offense, lack of experience, knowledge, or understanding, or the quality of being pure and untainted. It can be exemplified by phrases like 'presumption of innocence' and 'loss of innocence.' The term is often used in formal contexts to denote purity or guiltlessness.