variants
or naïve
naiver; naivest
1
2
b
: not previously subjected to experimentation or a particular experimental situation
made the test with naive rats
also
: not having previously used a particular drug (such as marijuana)
c
: not having been exposed previously to an antigen
naive T cells
3
a
b
: produced by or as if by a self-taught artist
naive murals
naively
adverb
or naïvely
naiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of naive in a Sentence
Secularism requires a commitment to civil liberty, which rests partly on respect for civil disobedience—peaceful acts of conscience that challenge rules of law. If civil libertarianism is naïve, then so is the hope of secular government.
—
Wendy Kaminer, Free Inquiry, December 2008/January 2009
He exhibits a naïve sort of confidence when talking about the doubts surrounding him and the perceived slights in the draft run-up.
—Peter King, Sports Illustrated, 1 May 2006
His crimes were described as mere bumps in the road, minor offenses committed by a man-boy described as innocent, naïve, trusting, a simple country boy who got lost in airports and was astonished to find out that he could order a pizza over the phone.
—Pat Jordan, Harper's, October 2004
a naive belief that all people are good
a naive view of the world
She asked a lot of naive questions.
I was young and naive at the time, and I didn't think anything bad could happen to me.
The plan seems a little naive.
If you're naive enough to believe him, you'll believe anyone.
Wendy Kaminer, Free Inquiry, December 2008/January 2009
He exhibits a naïve sort of confidence when talking about the doubts surrounding him and the perceived slights in the draft run-up.
—Peter King, Sports Illustrated, 1 May 2006
His crimes were described as mere bumps in the road, minor offenses committed by a man-boy described as innocent, naïve, trusting, a simple country boy who got lost in airports and was astonished to find out that he could order a pizza over the phone.
—Pat Jordan, Harper's, October 2004
a naive belief that all people are good
a naive view of the world
She asked a lot of naive questions.
I was young and naive at the time, and I didn't think anything bad could happen to me.
The plan seems a little naive.
If you're naive enough to believe him, you'll believe anyone.
Recent Examples on the Web
But there is this naive expectation of the entertainment industry that Tom Hanks is going to invite you in, and that just doesn’t exist.
—Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Through some naive sleuthing and meddling, the girls manage to bring a corporate retreat out to the ranch in a last-ditch effort to prove there’s still a demand for Natty’s ranch.
—Sara Belcher, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Don’t be naive or give anyone the power to make choices for you.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
In recent years, the naive belief held by most Americans, that the Fed is an apolitical body of benevolent technocrats who would never use their immense, ring-of-Sauron-like power for anything but the good of humanity, has evaporated.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for naive 
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Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024
Through some naive sleuthing and meddling, the girls manage to bring a corporate retreat out to the ranch in a last-ditch effort to prove there’s still a demand for Natty’s ranch.
—Sara Belcher, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Don’t be naive or give anyone the power to make choices for you.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
In recent years, the naive belief held by most Americans, that the Fed is an apolitical body of benevolent technocrats who would never use their immense, ring-of-Sauron-like power for anything but the good of humanity, has evaporated.
—Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for naive
Dictionary Entries Near naive
Cite this Entry
“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naive. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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Etymology
from French naïve "having a natural simplicity and honesty," from early French naïf "being part of the nature of a person from birth, native, inborn," from Latin nativus "native," from natus, past participle of nasci "to be born" — related to native
Medical Definition
naive
adjective
na·ive
variants
or naïve
naiver; naivest
1
: not previously subjected to experimentation or a particular experimental situation
naive laboratory rats
2
: not having previously used a particular drug (as marijuana)
3
: not having been exposed previously to an antigen
a naive immune system
naive T cells
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