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naive — showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment; innocent and trusting

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment; innocent and trusting

Pronunciation (IPA): /naɪˈiv/

Example Sentences

  • He was naive enough to believe that his cat would actually come when called.
  • Don't be naive - nobody gives away free money without expecting something in return.
  • She had a naive hope that her brother would share his pizza willingly.

naive

ADJECTIVE

[/naɪˈiv/]

showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment; innocent and trusting

The naive tourist trusted the stranger too easily.
💡 Concept

The naive tourist trusted the stranger too easily.

Her naive smile showed she believed everyone's promises.
🧠 Mnemonic

Her naive smile showed she believed everyone's promises.

Though naive, she chose to believe in herself and achieve her dream.
🎵 Rhyme

Though naive, she chose to believe in herself and achieve her dream.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/naɪˈiv/
🇬🇧 UK/naɪˈiːv/

🌳Etymology

Rootnat

Origin

From French naïf, derived from Latin nativus meaning 'native' or 'natural.' The word originally referred to something in its natural state, and evolved to mean artless or ingenuous.

Breakdown

Latin nativus (native, natural) → French naïf → English naive; the root nat- means 'born' or 'natural'

🎵Rhyme

achieve
believe
receive
deceive

🔗Collocations

naive belief
naive to think
hopelessly naive
naive optimism
naive questions
politically naive

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“He was naive enough to believe that his cat would actually come when called.”

“Don't be naive - nobody gives away free money without expecting something in return.”

😄 Fun example

“She had a naive hope that her brother would share his pizza willingly.”

😄 Fun example

“It would be naive to assume that learning English is easy just because you watched one movie.”

📚Related Words

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