ingenuous

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin ingenuus (“of noble character, frank”).

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /ɪnˈdʒɛn.ju.əs/

Adjective

ingenuous (comparative more ingenuous, superlative most ingenuous)

  1. Naive and trusting.
  2. Demonstrating childlike simplicity.
    • 1919, W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, ch. 12
      "Do you mean to say you didn't leave your wife for another woman?"
      "Of course not."
      "On your word of honour?"
      I don't know why I asked for that. It was very ingenuous of me.
  3. Unsophisticated; simple.
  4. Unable to mask one's feelings.
  5. Straightforward, candid, open, and frank.

Usage notes

Do not confuse with ingenious.

Synonyms

  • See also Thesaurus:naive

Antonyms

Translations

Anagrams

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