ingenuous

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Innocent and trusting in a simple, honest way; not suspicious of others.

   Her ingenuous smile showed she had no idea she was being teased.

2. 2
   adj

   Open and honest; saying exactly what you think.

   He gave an ingenuous answer, admitting his mistake without excuses.

Learned borrowing from Latin ingenuus (“of noble character, frank”). Doublet of ingenu.

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