naive

Universal Words (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.