noun
innocence
IH-nuhsns
noun
1
The state of not being guilty of a crime or wrongdoing.
"He maintained his innocence throughout the trial."
"New evidence finally proved her innocence."
2
A lack of experience with, or exposure to, the harsher or more complicated sides of life.
"The story is told through the innocence of a young child's eyes."
How to Use Innocence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing not guilty of wrongdoing, or more broadly, being untouched by the darker, more cynical parts of life.
Common pairings
proclaim innocence
childhood innocence
prove innocence
Word Forms
innocences plural
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Etymology
From Latin innocentia, "harmlessness," from innocens, "not harmful" — in- ("not") plus nocens ("harmful").