Dictionary
naive
adjective na·ive \nä-ˈēv, nī-\
: having or showing a lack of experience or knowledge : innocent or simple
na·iv·erna·iv·est
Full Definition of NAIVE
2
a : deficient in worldly wisdom or informed judgment; especially : credulous b : not previously subjected to experimentation or a particular experimental situation <made the test with naive rats>; also : not having previously used a particular drug (as marijuana) c : not having been exposed previously to an antigen <naive T cells>
3
a : self-taught, primitive b : produced by or as if by a self-taught artist <naive murals>
— na·ive·ly or na·ïve·ly adverb
— na·ive·ness noun
See naive defined for English-language learners
See naive defined for kids
Variants of NAIVE
na·ive or na·ïve \nä-ˈēv, nī-\
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Examples of NAIVE
- Secularism requires a commitment to civil liberty, which rests partly on respect for civil disobedience—peaceful acts of conscience that challenge rules of law. If civil libertarianism is naïve, then so is the hope of secular government. —Wendy Kaminer, Free Inquiry, December 2008/January 2009
- He exhibits a naïve sort of confidence when talking about the doubts surrounding him and the perceived slights in the draft run-up. —Peter King, Sports Illustrated, 1 May 2006
- His crimes were described as mere bumps in the road, minor offenses committed by a man-boy described as innocent, naïve, trusting, a simple country boy who got lost in airports and was astonished to find out that he could order a pizza over the phone. —Pat Jordan, Harper's, October 2004
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Origin of NAIVE
French naïve, feminine of naïf, from Old French, inborn, natural, from Latin nativus native
First Known Use: 1654
Related to NAIVE
- Synonyms
- aw-shucks, dewy, dewy-eyed, green, ingenuous, innocent, naïf (or naif), primitive, simple, simpleminded, uncritical, unknowing, unsophisticated, unsuspecting, unsuspicious, unwary, unworldly, wide-eyed
- Antonyms
- cosmopolitan, experienced, knowing, sophisticated, worldly, worldly-wise
Synonym Discussion of NAIVE
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>.
Rhymes with NAIVE
NAIVE Defined for Kids
naive
adjective na·ive \nä-ˈēv\
na·iv·erna·iv·est
Definition of NAIVE for Kids
1
: showing lack of experience or knowledge <He asked a lot of naive questions.>
2
: being simple and sincere
— na·ive·ly adverb
Variants of NAIVE
na·ive or na·ïve \nä-ˈēv\
Word Root of NAIVE
The Latin word nāscī, meaning “to be born,” and its form nātus give us the roots nat and nai. Words from the Latin nāscī have something to do with being born. When someone is native to a particular place, she or he was born there. A nation, or country, is a place where people are born. Anyone naive has a lack of knowledge and experience as if he or she was only recently born.
Medical Dictionary
naive
adjective na·ive
na·iv·erna·iv·est
Medical Definition of NAIVE
1
: not previously subjected to experimentation or a particular experimental situation <naive laboratory rats>
2
: not having previously used a particular drug (as marijuana)
3
: not having been exposed previously to an antigen <a naive immune system> <naive T cells>
Variants of NAIVE
na·ive or na·ïve \nä-ˈēv\
Learn More About NAIVE
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