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Ingenuousness - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Ingenuousness is the quality of being innocent, honest, and straightforward, often showing a lack of guile or deceit. It reflects sincerity and openness in one’s actions or speech.

ingenuousness

/ɪnˈdʒɛnjuəsnəs/ /ɪnˈdʒɛnjuəsnəs/

Definition:

The quality of being innocent, honest, and straightforward without deceit or cunning.

Synonyms:

innocence, naivety, candor, sincerity, openness

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

cunning, deceitfulness, guile

Common Collocations:

childlike ingenuousness, charming ingenuousness, refreshing ingenuousness

Derivatives:

ingenuous, ingenuously

Usage Tips:

Use "ingenuousness" to describe someone’s honest and trusting nature without implying foolishness.

Common Phrases:

an air of ingenuousness, disarming ingenuousness

Etymology:

From Latin "ingenuus" meaning freeborn, noble, or frank; later evolving to mean honest and open.

Examples:

  • 1. Her ingenuousness made her easy to trust in negotiations.
  • 2. The child’s ingenuousness charmed everyone at the party.
  • 3. His speech lacked artifice but was full of genuine ingenuousness.
  • 4. She answered with such ingenuousness that no one doubted her sincerity.

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