ingénu
naive
adjective an-zheh-NU Rare
Origin: Latin ingenuus, freeborn, hence frank and open
Also means
ingenuous
Usage Note
Ingénu describes someone charmingly innocent or unsophisticated, often with a slightly theatrical tone — the stock character of the ingénue in theatre is a young, naive girl. The feminine form ingénue is actually better known internationally through borrowing into English.
Examples
"Son regard ingénu désarma tout le monde."
Natural Translation
His naive gaze disarmed everyone.
Literal Translation
His gaze naive disarmed all the world.
Related Words
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