Naive means lacking knowledge or experience, and therefore easily deceived or misled. It can also refer to someone who is innocent or simple-minded.
When to use it
Native English speakers use 'naive' to describe someone who is lacking in experience or judgement, especially someone who is easily deceived or vulnerable to manipulation. It can also be used to refer to something that is simplistic or unsophisticated in its approach. For example, a native English speaker might say, "She was too naive to realize he was lying to her," or "The company's naive business strategy was bound to fail."
Example sentences
- She was so naive that she believed everything that was told to her.
- The naive child thought that he could fly if he just jumped high enough.
- The naive entrepreneur had no idea about the complexities of running a business.
- He was too naive to see through her manipulative tactics.
- The naive tourist fell for the classic pickpocket trick and lost all his money.
- She was naive to think that her internet password was safe from hackers.
- The naive student didn't realize that plagiarizing would result in a failing grade.
- He was naive to ignore the warning signs and invest all his savings in a scam.
- The naive bride-to-be believed that planning a wedding was going to be easy.
- She was too naive to understand the implications of posting personal information online.
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