innocent
Adjective
Easy difficulty
What does “innocent” mean?
adjective.not guilty of a crime or offense.
SAT Usage
this adjective often appears in passages discussing themes of justice, morality, or childhood. It emphasizes a state of purity or lack of wrongdoing, distinguishing it from similar terms like "naive," which suggests a lack of experience rather than a complete absence of guilt.
Common Confusions
Innocent implies a complete absence of guilt or wrongdoing, while naive usually suggests a lack of experience or sophistication in understanding the world.
Do not choose innocent if the context emphasizes wrongdoing or guilt rather than not guilty of a crime or offense.
Example Sentences
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The jury declared the defendant innocent after careful deliberation.
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Despite the accusations, she maintained her innocent demeanor, insisting she had done nothing wrong.