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innocence

n.
US //ˈɪnəsəns// UK //ˈɪnəsəns// in·no·cence
  1. 1 not guilty of a crime (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    the fact that you have not done anything wrong or illegal.

    the state or quality of being guiltless of a specific crime or offence. Uncountable in its legal sense.

    Example

    The lawyer worked for years to prove the man's innocence and get him out of prison.

    Example

    The defendant maintained his innocence throughout the trial, insisting that the forensic evidence had been misinterpreted by the prosecution's lead witness.
    • guiltlessness
    • blamelessness
  2. 2 lack of worldly knowledge (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a lack of experience or knowledge about the bad or complicated parts of life.

    a lack of worldly experience, sophistication, or knowledge regarding adult themes such as sexuality or corruption.

    Example

    The children played with a sweet innocence, unaware of the problems their parents were facing.

    Example

    The novel explores the loss of childhood innocence as the protagonist is forced to confront the harsh realities of the Great Depression.
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  1. 3 harmlessness (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the quality of not being dangerous or not intending to hurt anyone.

    the quality of being harmless or lacking the intention to cause injury or damage.

    Example

    Despite his scary appearance, the dog's innocence was clear from his wagging tail.

    Example

    The committee was eventually convinced of the innocence of her intentions, concluding that the administrative errors were accidental rather than malicious.
    • harmlessness
    • benignity
Origin

Inherited from Middle English innocence, from Old French innocence, inocence, from Latin innocentia. Doublet of innocency. Displaced native Old English unsċyld.

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