naive

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Lacking experience or judgement, and too quick to trust or believe things.

   It was naive of him to think the deal had no risks at all.

2. 2
   adj

   Simple and childlike in a charming way, without sophistication.

   The painting had a naive, almost childlike style that many people loved.

3. 3
   adj

   Not yet exposed to or affected by something, especially in science.

   The study used animals that were naive to the drug being tested.

Borrowed from French naïve, feminine form of naïf, from Latin nātīvus (“native, natural”). Doublet of native.

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