Innocent
'ɪnəsənt
Definitions
3 meaningsFree from guilt or blame; not having committed a crime or wrongdoing.
'ɪnəsənt
Not guilty of a crime or offense.
The court declared the suspect innocent.
💡 Simply: When someone is innocent, it means they didn't do anything bad. Like, if you find your little brother's cookies and he says he didn't eat them, and you believe him, he's innocent!
👶 For kids: Not guilty of doing something wrong.
More Examples
She maintained her innocent plea throughout the trial.
The evidence proved his innocence.
How It's Used
"The jury found her innocent of all charges."
"He was declared innocent after years of investigation."
Pure, morally blameless, and uncorrupted; free from wrong.
'ɪnəsənt
Free from sin, evil, or moral wrong.
The innocent child had a pure heart.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, innocent means someone is pure and good, like a baby who hasn't learned any bad things yet. They're just happy and sweet!
👶 For kids: Being good and not doing anything bad.
More Examples
She viewed the world through innocent eyes.
His innocent nature made him susceptible to manipulation.
How It's Used
"The child's innocent gaze reflected her pure heart."
"The poem celebrated the innocent beauty of nature."
Harmless, not intended to cause offense or do harm.
'ɪnəsənt
Not intended to cause harm or offense.
It was an innocent misunderstanding.
💡 Simply: This means something isn't meant to hurt anyone's feelings or cause problems. Like when you accidentally bump into someone—it's an innocent accident!
👶 For kids: Not trying to hurt anyone's feelings.
More Examples
The joke was meant in an innocent way.
The remark seemed innocent enough, but was misinterpreted.
How It's Used
"It was an innocent mistake, not malice."
"She offered an innocent compliment about his work."
Idioms & expressions
Innocent bystander
A person who is present at an event or incident but not involved in it, especially one who is injured or killed.
"Several innocent bystanders were injured in the explosion."
to plead innocent
To declare in court that one is not guilty of the crime with which they are charged.
"The defendant chose to plead innocent and fight the charges."
Innocent until proven guilty
A fundamental principle of justice that a person is presumed not to have committed a crime unless proven otherwise.
"The legal system operates on the principle of innocent until proven guilty."
From Latin *innocens* ('harmless, not guilty'), from *in-* ('not') + *nocens* (present participle of *nocere*, 'to harm').
The word 'innocent' has existed in English since the 13th century, evolving from Latin roots and initially referring to being harmless or not guilty.
Memory tip
Imagine a clean slate – no marks, no evidence of wrong.
Word Origin
"harmless, not guilty (in- + nocens)"