ENGLISH
REFERENCE

innocently

adv.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɪnəsəntɫi// UK //ˈɪnəsəntli// in·no·cent·ly

adv. in a way that shows you are not trying to be harmful or dishonest. You use this when someone does something by accident or without bad intentions.

adv. in a manner that suggests a lack of malice, guilt, or ill intent. Often used to describe actions performed without awareness of their consequences or with a naive lack of sophistication.


SIMPLE

He looked at her innocently as he explained the mistake.

CONTEXTUAL

The child innocently asked why the sky was blue, showing no understanding of the complex physics involved.

COMPLEX

The defendant appeared to be speaking innocently about the events of that evening, though the prosecution argued his words were a calculated attempt to mislead the jury.

Origin

From innocent + -ly.

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