wide-eyed

adjective

ˈwīd-ˈīd 

1

: having or marked by unsophisticated or uncritical acceptance or admiration : naive

wide-eyed innocence

2

: having the eyes wide open especially with wonder or astonishment

Synonyms

• aw-shucks
• dewy
• dewy-eyed
• green
• ingenuous
• innocent
• naïf
• naif
• naive
• naïve
• primitive
• simple
• simpleminded
• uncritical
• unknowing
• unsophisticated
• unsuspecting
• unsuspicious
• unwary
• unworldly

Examples of wide-eyed in a Sentence

a wide-eyed and trusting child

the sort of phony UFO "artifacts" that wide-eyed tourists fall for

Recent Examples on the Web

Pic tells the story of a wide-eyed Iranian immigrant who accepts a wedding proposal from her billionaire boss’s son in order to remain in the United States. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025

But stepping into the role of the glamorous, rule-breaking school principal, Ava Coleman, brought her blunt humor and wide-eyed gags to a larger audience, earning her Emmy nominations for three years in a row and constant praise from critics. —Selome Hailu, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025

Both shows blended wide-eyed youthfulness with stories of previous generations and extremely familiar songs. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 24 Mar. 2025

The clip shows the small dog trembling in the passenger seat of Shae's car, looking very weary and wide-eyed. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 23 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for wide-eyed

• acetamide
• acetonide
• acidified
• antimonide
• beatified
• benzaldehyde
• borohydride
• chalcogenide
• commodified
• decalcified
• declassified
• disaccharide

Kids Definition

wide-eyed

adjective

ˈwīd-ˈīd

1

: having the eyes wide open especially with wonder or astonishment

2

: naive sense 2