Guileless: meaning, definitions and examples

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guileless

 

[หˆษกaษชlles ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

in character description

Devoid of guile; innocent and without deception

Synonyms

honest, ingenuous, naive, sincere.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
guileless

Used to describe someone who is innocent and without deception. It often implies a lack of worldly experience or sophistication.

  • She had a guileless charm that made everyone trust her immediately
honest

Used in situations where someone is truthful and straightforward in their speech and actions. It is a general term that can apply to many contexts.

  • He is an honest worker who always tells the truth, no matter the consequences
sincere

Used to describe someone who is genuine and earnest in their feelings or expressions. It implies that what they say and do is heartfelt.

  • She gave a sincere apology for her mistake, which was appreciated by everyone
naive

Describes someone lacking experience or sophistication, often in a way that makes them easily fooled or overly trusting. This term has a slightly negative connotation.

  • He was naive to believe that everyone at the firm had his best interests at heart
ingenuous

Often applied to someone who is innocent and unworldly, but can also imply simple sincerity. It suggests a kind of openness and naรฏvetรฉ.

  • Her ingenuous questions made it clear that she was new to the topic

Examples of usage

  • She had a guileless charm that captivated everyone she met.
  • His guileless smile made it hard to believe he was capable of deceit.
  • The guileless look in her eyes revealed her true nature.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'gyle', meaning deceit or trickery, combined with the prefix 'less', meaning without.
  • The word first appeared in English literature around the 14th century, indicating purity of character and honesty.

Literature

  • In classic literature, guileless characters often serve as moral beacons, representing integrity and goodness.
  • Shakespeare frequently used guileless characters to highlight the duplicity of others, creating stark contrasts in his plays.

Psychology

  • Studies show that people who are perceived as guileless are often more trusted in social situations, leading to stronger interpersonal relationships.
  • Guilelessness is linked to emotional intelligence, as it reflects an understanding and respect for others' feelings.

Pop Culture

  • Many popular children's films feature guileless protagonists, like characters who embody purity and innocence, appealing to audiences seeking sincere heroes.
  • The concept of guilelessness is often romanticized in media, portraying these characters as more relatable and beloved.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers often debate the importance of guilelessness in ethics, suggesting that a lack of deceit is essential for true moral integrity.
  • Many moral frameworks advocate for guileless behavior as foundational to trust and cooperation in societies.

Translations

Translations of the word "guileless" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น ingรชnuo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเคฟเคฐเฅเคฆเฅ‹เคท

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช arglos

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tulus

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั‰ะธั€ะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ niewinny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็„กๅžข

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท innocent

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ inocente

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท masum

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ˆœ์ง„ํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุฑูŠุก

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ nevinnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ nevinnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅคฉ็œŸๆ— ้‚ช

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ nedolลพen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ saklaus

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฟำ™ะบ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฃแƒ“แƒแƒœแƒแƒจแƒแƒฃแƒšแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ gรผnahsฤฑz

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ inocente

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,623, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.