naive

[naɪˈiːv]
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An inexperienced person who lacks worldly wisdom or common sense might be described as naive.

When we call someone naive, it usually means they're not street-smart or haven't learned from their experiences. This can make them a bit too trusting of others or take things at face value without questioning the motives behind them. For example, if your friend naively falls for an online scam because she trusted the message, it's probably because she didn't think twice about what was really going on. Naive people often get taken advantage of in social situations because they don't know how to read between the lines or are too kind-hearted to suspect someone's ulterior motives.

How common is "naive"?

Word naive is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions

noun

  • A naive person; a greenhorn.

adjective

  • Lacking worldly experience, wisdom, or judgement; unsophisticated.

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Real examples of "naive" in context

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