What does "innocent" mean?
One who is innocent, especially a young child.
Innocent
/ˈɪnəsənt/ adj, name, noun
adj, name, noun ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One who is innocent, especially a young child.
- Grammar: innocent is listed as adj, name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: above suspicion, angel, angelic, artless.
- Useful contrasts: blameworthy, guilty, nocent.
- Usage evidence: The news article painted the defendant as a guilty man, even though he had been proven innocent.
How to use "innocent"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "innocent" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "innocent" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "innocent" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "innocent" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "innocent" is acting as adj, name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "above suspicion" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "innocent", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 One who is innocent, especially a young child.
"The slaughter of the innocents was a significant event in the New Testament."
- 2 a person who lacks knowledge of evil wordnet
- 3 A harmless simple-minded person; an idiot. obsolete
Adjective
- 1 Free from guilt, sin, or immorality.
"I'm sure there's an innocent explanation for all this."
- 2 Bearing no legal responsibility for a wrongful act.
- 3 Without wrongful intent; accidental or in good faith.
"He didn't mean anything by it; it was an innocent mistake."
- 4 Naive; artless.
"I can find out no rhyme to / 'lady' but 'baby' – an innocent rhyme;"
- 5 Not harmful; innocuous; harmless; benign.
"The spear / Sung innocent, and spent its force in air."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 Lacking (something), or knowledge of it. with-of
"George was not a believer in modern innovations. The Abbey was innocent of anything so up to date as central heating."
- 7 Lawful; permitted.
"an innocent trade"
- 8 Not contraband; not subject to forfeiture.
"innocent goods carried to a belligerent nation"
Adjective
- 1 (used of things) lacking sense or awareness wordnet
- 2 completely wanting or lacking wordnet
- 3 lacking intent or capacity to injure wordnet
- 4 not knowledgeable about something specified wordnet
- 5 free from evil or guilt wordnet
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 lacking in sophistication or worldliness wordnet
- 7 free from sin wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Antonyms
Example
"The news article painted the defendant as a guilty man, even though he had been proven innocent."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "innocent"?
Common synonyms include: above suspicion, angel, angelic, artless, awkward, babe.
How do you use "innocent" in a sentence?
The news article painted the defendant as a guilty man, even though he had been proven innocent.
How do you pronounce "innocent"?
Pronounced /ˈɪnəsənt/.
Etymology
From Middle English innocent, from Old French innocent, inocent, borrowed from Latin innocēns (“harmless, inoffensive”), from in- (“not”) + nocēns, present participle of noceō (“to hurt”). By surface analysis, in- (“not”) + nocent (“harmful; guilty”). Displaced native Old English unsċyldiġ.