in·no·cent
Pronounced:
/ˈɪnəsənt/
Function:
adjectiveMeaning:
[more in*no*cent; most in*no*cent] 1 : not guilty of a crime or other wrong act ▪ He says that he is innocent of the crime. ▪ She was found innocent of all charges. ▪ A person accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty. ▪ Someone told your secret, but it wasn't me. I'm innocent. —opposite guilty
2 always used before a noun : not deserving to be harmed ▪ an innocent victim ▪ innocent bystanders
3 : lacking experience with the world and the bad things that happen in life ▪ an innocent child
4 : not intended to cause harm or trouble ▪ an innocent question ▪ I made an innocent mistake; I'm sorry. ▪ innocent [=harmless] fun
5 not used before a noun somewhat formal : having no knowledge of something ▪ He was entirely innocent of what had happened. [=he did not know what had happened]
2 always used before a noun : not deserving to be harmed ▪ an innocent victim ▪ innocent bystanders
3 : lacking experience with the world and the bad things that happen in life ▪ an innocent child
4 : not intended to cause harm or trouble ▪ an innocent question ▪ I made an innocent mistake; I'm sorry. ▪ innocent [=harmless] fun
5 not used before a noun somewhat formal : having no knowledge of something ▪ He was entirely innocent of what had happened. [=he did not know what had happened]
—innocent noun plural innocents [count] ▪ a war that caused the death of thousands of innocents [=innocent people] ▪ She was an innocent when it came to romance.
—in·no·cent·ly adverb ▪ I innocently mentioned what turned out to be a very painful topic. ▪ She smiled innocently. ▪ Everything started out innocently [=harmlessly] enough.