Dictionary

1ingenuous

adjective in·gen·u·ous \in-ˈjen-yə-wəs, -yü-əs\

Definition of INGENUOUS

obsolete
:  ingenious
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Origin of INGENUOUS

by alteration
First Known Use: 1588

2ingenuous

adjective

Definition of INGENUOUS

1
obsolete :  noble, honorable
2
a :  showing innocent or childlike simplicity and candidness <her ingenuous thirst for experience — Christopher Rawson>
b :  lacking craft or subtlety <ingenuous in their brutality>
in·gen·u·ous·ly adverb
in·gen·u·ous·ness noun

Origin of INGENUOUS

Latin ingenuus native, freeborn, from in- + gignere to beget — more at kin
First Known Use: 1588

Synonym Discussion of INGENUOUS

natural, ingenuous, naive, unsophisticated, artless mean free from pretension or calculation. natural implies lacking artificiality and self-consciousness and having a spontaneousness suggesting the natural rather than the man-made world <her unaffected, natural manner>. ingenuous implies inability to disguise or conceal one's feelings or intentions <the ingenuous enthusiasm of children>. naive suggests lack of worldly wisdom often connoting credulousness and unchecked innocence <politically naive>. unsophisticated implies a lack of experience and training necessary for social ease and adroitness <unsophisticated adolescents>. artless suggests a naturalness resulting from unawareness of the effect one is producing on others <artless charm>.
INGENUOUSNESS Defined for Kids

ingenuous

adjective in·gen·u·ous \in-ˈjen-yə-wəs\

Definition of INGENUOUS for Kids

:  showing innocence and childlike honesty
in·gen·u·ous·ly adverb

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