naive
neye-EEV
Naive (adj) means lacking experience, judgement, or worldly knowledge; too trusting or simple in one's thinking. Example: “It was naive of him to think the deal had no hidden costs.”
adj
1
Lacking experience, judgement, or worldly knowledge; too trusting or simple in one's thinking.
"It was naive of him to think the deal had no hidden costs."
"She admitted her younger self had been naive about how the industry really worked."
"That was a naive question, but nobody laughed at her."
noun
1
A person who is naive; someone easily fooled.
"He wasn't some naive fresh out of school — he'd run three companies."
How to use naive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishToo trusting, inexperienced, or simple-minded about how things really work.
Common mistake
Naive isn't the same as stupid — it describes a lack of experience or awareness, not a lack of intelligence.
Common pairings
politically naive
naive optimism
it would be naive to think
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Word forms
- Plural
- naives
- Comparative
- naiver, more naive
- Superlative
- naivest, most naive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was _____ of him to think the deal had no hidden costs.
Etymology
From French naïve, the feminine of naïf, from Latin nativus meaning "native" or "natural." Related to the word "native."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for naive
See all rhymes for naive →Frequently asked questions
What does “naive” mean?
The word “naive” means lacking experience, judgement, or worldly knowledge; too trusting or simple in one's thinking. In plain terms, too trusting, inexperienced, or simple-minded about how things really work.
How do you pronounce “naive”?
“Naive” is pronounced neye-EEV (/naɪˈiv/ in IPA).
How do you use “naive” in a sentence?
Here is “naive” used in a sentence: “It was naive of him to think the deal had no hidden costs.”
What is another word for “naive”?
Words with a similar meaning to “naive” include artless, childlike, callow, verdant, clueless and credulous.
What is the opposite of “naive”?
The opposite of “naive” — its antonyms — are affected, mature, nuanced, pretentious and sophisticated.
What part of speech is “naive”?
Depending on how it is used, “naive” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “naive” come from?
The word “naive” comes from Latin. From French naïve, the feminine of naïf, from Latin nativus meaning "native" or "natural." Related to the word "native.".
Is “naive” a common word?
“Naive” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between naive and innocent?
Naive describes someone lacking experience, judgement, or worldly knowledge and who is too trusting or simple in their thinking, often carrying a mildly critical tone. Innocent more broadly describes someone free from wrongdoing or corruption, which can overlap with naivety but does not always imply poor judgement.
Is calling someone naive an insult?
Naive can be mildly critical, suggesting a lack of experience or overly trusting judgement, but it is often used gently rather than harshly, especially when describing youth or inexperience rather than foolishness.
Can naive be used as a noun?
Yes, naive can be used as a noun to refer to a person who is naive, meaning someone easily fooled, though this usage is less common than the adjective.
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