(also naive) adjective
1 (disapproving) lacking experience of life, knowledge or good judgement and willing to believe that people always tell you the truth:
a naive question / remark * to be politically naive * I can't believe you were so naive as to trust him! * It would be naive of us to think that football is only a game.
2 (approving) (of people and their behaviour) innocent and simple:
Their approach to life is refreshingly naive.
compareSOPHISTICATED
naively (also naively) adverb:
I naively assumed that I would be paid for the work.
naivety (also naivety) noun [U]:
They laughed at the naivety of his suggestion. * She has lost none of her naivety. * His work is a curious blend of sophistication and naivety.
