innocence

noun

in·​no·​cence ˈi-nə-sən(t)s 

1

a

: freedom from legal guilt of a particular crime or offense

b

: freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil : blamelessness

c

: lack of knowledge : ignorance

… written in entire innocence of the Italian language.

—E. R. Bentley

d(1)

: freedom from guile or cunning : simplicity

(2)

: lack of worldly experience or sophistication

e

: chastity

2

: one that is innocent

3

: bluet

Synonyms

• blamelessness
• faultlessness
• guiltlessness
• impeccability
• innocency
• irreproachability
• irreproachableness

Examples of innocence in a Sentence

He vows that he will prove his innocence in court.

the trusting innocence of childhood

The age of innocence was over.

Recent Examples on the Web

The verdict came as a disappointment to Woodland, who maintains his innocence and had hoped for leniency. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

And last week, Baca filed a motion request a finding of factual innocence, a move that could ease the path to financial compensation for the decades Duran spent behind bars. —Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Yet, after Gunna pleaded guilty while maintaining his innocence under the Alford plea, sponsor Walmart pulled out of the event. —Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024

Stanley dropped the charges in 2022, and Morphew has maintained his innocence. —Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing innocence

• in all innocence

Kids Definition

innocence

noun

in·​no·​cence ˈin-ə-sən(t)s 

: the quality or state of being innocent

Legal Definition

innocence

noun

in·​no·​cence ˈi-nə-səns 

: freedom from fault or guilt under the law: as

a

: the state of not being guilty of a particular crime or offense compare guilt

b

: the state of not being guilty of an act that constitutes a ground for divorce

c

: ignorance on the part of a party to a transaction of facts that would lead a person of ordinary prudence to make inquiries