innocent

IN-uh-suhnt/ˈɪnəsənt/

10 meanings of innocent

1
adjective
Having done nothing wrong and free from guilt or evil.
Like a clean page with no marks on it.
She felt innocent because she had broken no rules.
A truly innocent heart holds no bad thoughts.
Similarblameless, guiltless, pure, sinless, virtuous
Oppositeguilty, sinful, wicked, culpable
Note
2
adjective
Not guilty of breaking the law.
Like a player who broke none of the game's rules.
The court found him innocent of the robbery.
She was innocent and walked free from prison.
Similarguiltless, blameless
Oppositeguilty, culpable
3
adjective
Done by accident, with no wish to do harm.
Like bumping into someone by accident, not on purpose.
It was an innocent mistake, not a lie.
His question seemed innocent, with no hidden meaning.
Similarharmless, innocuous, inoffensive, unintentional, accidental
Oppositemalicious, deliberate, intentional
4
adjective
Trusting and simple, not knowing about bad things in the world.
Like a small child who trusts everyone.
The innocent child believed every story he was told.
She gave an innocent smile, unaware of the joke.
Similarnaive, artless, guileless, ingenuous, unworldly
Oppositeworldly, cynical, sophisticated, knowing
5
nouncountable
A person who has done nothing wrong, especially a young child.
Like a young child who has never done anything wrong.
The war took the lives of many innocents.
He was an innocent caught up in someone else's crime.
Similarnaif
Note
6
adjectivewith of
Not having something, or not knowing about it.
Like a plate that is completely empty.
His desk was innocent of any paperwork.
She was innocent of the latest gossip.
Similardevoid, free, bare, ignorant, unaware
Note
7
adjective
Not banned, and allowed to be carried or kept.
Like a bag with nothing forbidden inside, so it passes the check.
The ship carried innocent goods that no one could seize.
These items are innocent and can pass through customs freely.
Similarlegitimate, lawful
Oppositecontraband, illicit
Note
8
adjective
Allowed by law and permitted.
Like a move in a game that the rules clearly allow.
It was an innocent activity that the law allowed.
Trading these goods is innocent and fully permitted.
Similarlawful, legal, legitimate, permissible, permitted
Oppositeunlawful, illegal, illicit
9
adjective
Safe and unable to cause any harm.
Like a bee that looks scary but cannot sting you.
The growth turned out to be innocent and caused no problems.
Doctors said the lump was innocent, not dangerous.
Similarharmless, benign, innocuous
Oppositeharmful, malignant, dangerous
Note

Less common meaning

10
nounobsolete
A simple-minded person who means no harm.
The village innocent wandered the lanes, smiling at everyone.
They cared for the innocent who could not look after himself.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin "innocens," meaning "harmless." It is made from "in-" meaning "not" and a word meaning "to hurt."