What does ingenuous mean?

characterized by an inability to mask your feelings; not devious; "an ingenuous admission of responsibility" lacking in sophistication or worldliness; "a child's innocent stare"; "his ingenuous explanation that he would not have burned the church if he had not thought the bishop was in it"

How many definitions does ingenuous have?

Ingenuous has 2 definitions across 1 part of speech (adjective).

Ingenuous Definition & Meaning

ingenuous

adjective

characterized by an inability to mask your feelings; not devious; "an ingenuous admission of responsibility"
lacking in sophistication or worldliness; "a child's innocent stare"; "his ingenuous explanation that he would not have burned the church if he had not thought the bishop was in it"

Synonyms for ingenuous

"Ingenuous" in song lyrics

See how ingenuous is used in real songs:

"And do something ingenuous"
Pigeon John — Perfect Formality

Words that rhyme with ingenuous

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Usage tips for "ingenuous"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "ingenuous" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for ingenuous to find words that pair well.

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Frequently asked questions

What does ingenuous mean?: characterized by an inability to mask your feelings; not devious; "an ingenuous admission of responsibility" lacking in sophistication or worldliness; "a child's innocent stare"; "his ingenuous explanation that he would not have burned the church if he had not thought the bishop was in it"
What part of speech is ingenuous?: Ingenuous is an adjective.
How many definitions does ingenuous have?: Ingenuous has 2 definitions across 1 part of speech (adjective).