innocent
♦ in|no|cent /'ɪnəsənt/ (innocents)
1 [ADJ] oft ADJ of n
If someone is innocent, they did not commit a crime which they have been accused of.
He was sure that the man was innocent of any crime...
The police knew from day one that I was innocent.
≠ guilty
2 [ADJ]
If someone is innocent, they have no experience or knowledge of the more complex or unpleasant aspects of life.
They seemed so young and innocent...
= naive
[N-COUNT]
An innocent is someone who is innocent.
Ian was a hopeless innocent where women were concerned.
● innocently [ADV] usu ADV with v
The baby gurgled innocently on the bed.
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Innocent people are those who are not involved in a crime or conflict, but are injured or killed as a result of it.
All those wounded were innocent victims...
4 [ADJ]
An innocent question, remark, or comment is not intended to offend or upset people, even if it does so.
It was a perfectly innocent question.
= harmless
1 [ADJ] oft ADJ of n
If someone is innocent, they did not commit a crime which they have been accused of.
He was sure that the man was innocent of any crime...
The police knew from day one that I was innocent.
≠ guilty
2 [ADJ]
If someone is innocent, they have no experience or knowledge of the more complex or unpleasant aspects of life.
They seemed so young and innocent...
= naive
[N-COUNT]
An innocent is someone who is innocent.
Ian was a hopeless innocent where women were concerned.
● innocently [ADV] usu ADV with v
The baby gurgled innocently on the bed.
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Innocent people are those who are not involved in a crime or conflict, but are injured or killed as a result of it.
All those wounded were innocent victims...
4 [ADJ]
An innocent question, remark, or comment is not intended to offend or upset people, even if it does so.
It was a perfectly innocent question.
= harmless