innocence
noun
in·no·cence
ˈi-nə-sən(t)s 
1
a
: freedom from legal guilt of a particular crime or offense
b
: freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil : blamelessness
c
: lack of knowledge : ignorance
… written in entire innocence of the Italian language.—
E. R. Bentley
E. R. Bentley
d(1)
: freedom from guile or cunning : simplicity
(2)
: lack of worldly experience or sophistication
e
: chastity
2
: one that is innocent
3
: bluet
Examples of innocence in a Sentence
He vows that he will prove his innocence in court.
the trusting innocence of childhood
The age of innocence was over.
Recent Examples on the Web
David Leatherman, 48, of Hanover, Pennsylvania, was found guilty in November 2025 after an Alford Plea, in which a defendant maintains their innocence but admits there is sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
There was this innocence with us just being normal kids.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
As Belle, Kyra Belle Johnson — whose middle name suggests she was born to play the role — has an air of innocence and wonder without playing so young that wedding proposals to her don’t seem creepy.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
So that’s not a great sign for Don’s innocence.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for innocence
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Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
There was this innocence with us just being normal kids.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
As Belle, Kyra Belle Johnson — whose middle name suggests she was born to play the role — has an air of innocence and wonder without playing so young that wedding proposals to her don’t seem creepy.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
So that’s not a great sign for Don’s innocence.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for innocence
Cite this Entry
“Innocence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/innocence. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
innocence
noun
in·no·cence
ˈin-ə-sən(t)s
: the quality or state of being innocent
Legal Definition
innocence
noun
in·no·cence
ˈi-nə-səns
: freedom from fault or guilt under the law: as
a
: the state of not being guilty of a particular crime or offense compare guilt
b
: the state of not being guilty of an act that constitutes a ground for divorce
c
: ignorance on the part of a party to a transaction of facts that would lead a person of ordinary prudence to make inquiries
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