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naive

adjective

/nʌɪˈiːv/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of naive

Lacking experience or awareness about the complexities of the world, often viewing situations and people in an overly trusting and uncritical manner.
"Their team's naive tactics were quickly exposed by the more experienced opponents."

Detailed meaning of naive

A naive person may approach situations with an innocent, childlike view, and may be easily influenced or taken advantage of by others. This term is often used to describe someone who is unaware of the complexities and nuances of the world around them, and may make decisions or judgments based on limited information or incomplete understanding. While being naive can sometimes be endearing, it can also leave a person vulnerable to harm or exploitation.

Example sentences containing naive

1. He was too naive to see the ulterior motives of his friend.
2. She had a naive belief that everything would work out perfectly.
3. The young girl's naive demeanor made her an easy target for the con artist.
4. His overly naive approach to the negotiation cost him a great deal of money.
5. Her naive attitude towards relationships led to repeated heartbreaks.
6. The politician's promises sounded naive to the seasoned voters.

History and etymology of naive

The adjective 'naive' has its origins in the Old French word 'naif,' which meant 'natural' or 'native.' 'Naif' was derived from the Latin 'nativus,' meaning 'native' or 'innate.' Over time, the meaning of 'naif' evolved to describe someone who possessed a childlike simplicity or naturalness, often implying innocence or lack of sophistication. This transformation occurred as the concept of being natural or innate was associated with a lack of worldly experience and the tendency to view the world with an uncritical, trusting perspective. Therefore, etymologically, 'naive' suggests a lack of experience or awareness about the complexities of the world, reflecting its contemporary definition of viewing situations and people in an overly trusting and uncritical manner due to a perceived innocence or simplicity.

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Further usage examples of naive

1. She had a naive understanding of how the business world worked.
2. He felt a bit naive when he realized he had been taken in by the scam.
3. The movie's plot relied on the protagonist's naive choices.
4. His naive view of the world was shattered when he witnessed the harsh realities of life.
5. She was embarrassed by her naive mistake, but learned a valuable lesson from it.
6. Her naive trust in strangers made her vulnerable to deception.
7. He was naive to believe everything he heard without question.
8. The naive tourist fell for a common scam due to his lack of skepticism.
9. Their naive outlook on life, while charming, sometimes led to misjudgments.
10. The politician's naive promises were met with widespread skepticism from the public.
11. Naive individuals may be easily manipulated by those with ulterior motives.
12. Don't be so naive; the world can be harsh, and not everyone has good intentions.
13. She had a naive belief in the inherent goodness of people, even when proven wrong.
14. The criminal took advantage of the naive victim's trust, leading to a financial loss.
15. Naive optimism can lead to disappointment when reality doesn't match one's expectations.
16. His naive worldview, shaped by sheltered experiences, often clashed with harsh reality.
17. The naive employee's inexperience made them an easy target for exploitation.
18. The artist's naive style, characterized by childlike wonder, appealed to many art lovers.
19. The naive child saw magic in everyday moments, finding joy in the simple things.
20. The couple's naive dream was to travel the world without realizing the challenges ahead.
21. Naive students who study abroad sometimes face culture shock when confronted with unfamiliar customs.
22. The naive student believed every conspiracy theory they came across, lacking critical thinking skills.
23. The scammer targeted the naive elderly population, taking advantage of their trust.
24. Naive trust can lead to heartbreak and betrayal when people's intentions aren't genuine.
25. The teacher aimed to guide her naive students, providing them with a broader perspective on the complexities of the world.