First Known Use: 1588
Dictionary
1ingenuous
adjective in·gen·u·ous \in-ˈjen-yə-wəs, -yü-əs\
2ingenuous
adjective
Definition of INGENUOUS
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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