Innocent Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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innocent

[หˆษชn.ษ™.sษ™nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

person

Not guilty of a crime or offense; having done nothing wrong. Free from moral wrong; not corrupted.

Synonyms

blameless, guiltless, pure, untainted.

Examples of usage

  • The jury found the defendant innocent of all charges.
  • She maintained her innocence throughout the trial.
Context #2 | Adjective

child

Not knowing about unpleasant things, such as sex and drugs, because of being young and without experience.

Synonyms

childlike, naive, unsuspecting.

Examples of usage

  • She had an innocent face that made her look younger than she really was.
  • Children are often seen as innocent and pure.
Context #3 | Adjective

act

Not intended to cause harm or damage. Not guilty of a particular crime.

Synonyms

accidental, harmless, unintentional.

Examples of usage

  • It was an innocent mistake; he didn't mean to offend anyone.
  • The police concluded that the shooting was an innocent accident.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Research shows that people often perceive children as innocent because they lack experience and knowledge of the world's complexities.
  • Innate innocence can affect how individuals are treated in judicial systems, often leading to lesser punishments for young offenders.

Pop Culture

  • In literature, innocent characters often represent purity and goodness, like the character of Tom Sawyer in Mark Twain's stories.
  • The trope of the 'innocent victim' is common in films, where the character is undeserving of their situation, garnering viewer empathy.

Morality

  • In many cultures, innocence is associated with virtues such as honesty, integrity, and faith.
  • Philosophical discussions often highlight innocence as a state of moral purity, contrasting it with notions of guilt and corruption.

Education

  • Teaching about innocence can help children understand concepts of fairness and the importance of making right choices.
  • Innocence is often a theme in educational stories, illustrating the need for nurturing and protecting this quality in children.

Origin of 'innocent'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'innocens', which means 'harmless' or 'not doing harm'.
  • It was first used in English in the late 14th century, primarily to describe those not guilty of wrongdoing.

The word 'innocent' originated from the Latin word 'innocentem' which means 'not guilty, harmless'. It has been used in English since the 14th century. The concept of innocence is often associated with purity, lack of corruption, and freedom from guilt. Throughout history, innocence has been valued as a virtue, especially in moral and legal contexts.


Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,064, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.