adj
naive
neye-EEV
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."
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
Word Forms
naiver comparative, more naive comparative, naives plural, naivest superlative, most naive superlative
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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."