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

Davis has maintained his innocence, however, and fans of the California hip-hop legend will have to wait a little bit longer to see if the case has actually been cracked after a Nevada judge ruled on Tuesday that the trial be postponed by nearly a year. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025

That Cantu maintained his innocence for more than 20 years, up until his execution on Feb. 28, 2024. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2025

Although Alec maintained his innocence, he was indicted and stood trial in July 2024. —Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 20 Feb. 2025

He was offered a life sentence in exchange for a guilty plea, but, maintaining his innocence, refused the deal. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 20 Feb. 2025

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