naivety

noun

na·​ive·​ty nä-ˈē-və-tē 

-ˈēv-tē,

nī-

variants or less commonly naïvety

plural naiveties

chiefly British

: naïveté

If he compromised himself, then it was because of his political ignorance and naivety.

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

Synonyms

• artlessness
• greenness
• guilelessness
• ingenuousness
• innocence
• naiveness
• naïveté
• naivete
• naiveté
• naturalness
• simplemindedness
• simpleness
• simplicity
• unsophistication
• unworldliness
• viridity

Examples of naivety in a Sentence

the contention that the royal family took advantage of the young Diana's naivety

Recent Examples on the Web

Kevin Thompson, a finance expert and the founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group, said Gen Z's optimism might be rooted in the naivety of youth rather than Trump's campaign. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2024

Instead of making attempts to work with me, the card company took me to court where my naivety was taken advantage of. —Mourice "mo" Hylton, Sun Sentinel, 15 Oct. 2024

As Selma, Bjork is a mesmerizing mix of girlish naivety and nearly feral feeling. —Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2024

There was a perception among some that Kompany was displaying tactical naivety, inexperience and a stubbornness to adapt his principles. —Andy Jones, The Athletic, 13 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above