Ingenuous Meaning in English
word
Definition
Describes someone who is honest, open, and not suspicious or deceitful; genuinely innocent or simple in a way that shows honesty.
Usage & Nuances
'Ingenuous' is formal and often seen in written English. Don't confuse with 'ingenious', which means 'clever or inventive.' Often used for honest, open people, sometimes implying naivety. Common combinations: 'an ingenuous smile', 'seemed ingenuous'.
Example Sentences
The child's ingenuous question made everyone smile.
basic
She gave him an ingenuous smile.
basic
His ingenuous answers showed he was telling the truth.
basic
You could tell by her ingenuous expression that she had no idea what was going on.
natural
He's completely ingenuous, so sometimes people take advantage of him.
natural
She had an ingenuous way of speaking that made everyone trust her immediately.
natural