| Library / English Dictionary |
INGENUOUS
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Characterized by an inability to mask your feelings; not devious
Example:
an ingenuous admission of responsibility
Synonyms:
artless; ingenuous
Classified under:
Similar:
candid; heart-to-heart; open (openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness)
undistorted (without alteration or misrepresentation)
Also:
sincere (open and genuine; not deceitful)
naif; naive (marked by or showing unaffected simplicity and lack of guile or worldly experience)
Antonym:
disingenuous (not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness)
Derivation:
ingenuousness (openly straightforward or frank)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Lacking in sophistication or worldliness
Example:
his ingenuous explanation that he would not have burned the church if he had not thought the bishop was in it
Synonyms:
ingenuous; innocent
Classified under:
Similar:
naif; naive (marked by or showing unaffected simplicity and lack of guile or worldly experience)
Derivation:
ingenuousness (the quality of innocent naivete)
