Innocence Meaning
/ˈɪnəsn̩s/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounAbsence of responsibility for a crime, tort, etc.
nounLack of understanding about sensitive subjects such as sexuality and crime.
Sentence Examples
Innocence is a beautiful thing.
You must not take advantage of her innocence.
They hope this new evidence will prove her innocence.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The lawyer proved his client's ____ by presenting a solid alibi for the time of the crime.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The lawyer fought hard in court to prove his client's total ____ of the serious crime.
Word Origin & History
Inherited from Middle English innocence, from Old French innocence, inocence, from Latin innocentia. Doublet of innocency. Displaced native Old English unsċyld.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Eustace gaped at him in amazement. When his urbanity dropped away from him, as now, he had an innocence of expression which was almost infantile. It was as if the world had never touched him at all."
— 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 9, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
"His unruly hair was slicked down with water, and as Jessamy introduced him to Miss Brindle his face assumed a cherubic innocence which would immediately have aroused the suspicions of anyone who knew him."
— 1967, Barbara Sleigh, Jessamy, Sevenoaks, Kent: Bloomsbury, published 1993, →ISBN, page 96:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The lawyer proved his client's ____ by presenting a solid alibi for the time of the crime.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The lawyer fought hard in court to prove his client's total ____ of the serious crime.