Naïve (en. Naive)

/naiv/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
adjective
Lacking experience and caution.
She has a naive view of the world.
Elle a une vision naïve du monde.
Simplicity, absence of sophistication.
He has a naive approach to life.
Il a une approche naïve de la vie.
A frank and direct approach.
His art is naive and moving.
Son art est naïf et émouvant.

Etymology

From the Latin 'naivus', meaning natural, innocent.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to be naive
To be overly confident or innocent.
être naïf
a childlike naivety
An innocence similar to that of a child.
une naïveté enfantine
to have naive ideas
To have unrealistic or simplistic ideas.
avoir des idées naïves

Related Words

naivety
The state of being naive.
naïveté
candid
Referring to a person who is honest and pure in intention.
candide
innocence
The absence of malice.
innocence

Slang Meanings

Too easy to manipulate.
He is really naive, everyone knows it.
Il est vraiment naïf, tout le monde le sait.
To be too trusting.
Don't be so naive, not everyone is good-natured.
Ne sois pas si naïve, pas tout le monde est de bonne foi.