Naive - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Naive means lacking experience or wisdom, often showing innocent simplicity. It describes someone who trusts too easily or fails to recognize hidden complexities, sometimes leading to poor judgment.
Definition:
Lacking experience or wisdom, often overly trusting or innocent.
Synonyms:
innocent, gullible, inexperienced, credulous
Part of Speech:
adjective
Antonyms:
sophisticated, cynical, worldly
Common Collocations:
naive belief, naive approach, naive optimism, naive assumption
Derivatives:
naively, naivety (or naïveté)
Usage Tips:
Use "naive" to describe someone who lacks awareness due to inexperience or simplicity.
Common Phrases:
naive optimism, naive realism, wide-eyed and naive
Etymology:
From French "naïve," feminine of "naïf," meaning natural or innocent; ultimately from Latin "nativus" (native).
Examples:
- 1. She was too naive to recognize the scam.
- 2. His naive trust in strangers often got him into trouble.
- 3. The child’s naive questions made everyone smile.
- 4. Her naive optimism blinded her to the risks ahead.