Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

innocence

/ˈɪnəsn̩s/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.83 in modern English

Syllables
in-no-cence
IPA
/ˈɪnəsn̩s/
13
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
3
Syllables
5
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Absence of responsibility for a crime, tort, etc.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Lack of understanding about sensitive subjects such as sexuality and crime.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Lack of ability or intention to harm or damage.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Imbecility; mental deficiency.

Countable; Obsolete; Uncountable

Example Sentences

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English innocence, from Old French innocence, inocence, from Latin innocentia. Doublet of innocency. Displaced native Old English unsċyld.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: *neḱ-, innocence, innocentia

Usage

Inflected Forms

innocences (plural)

Derived Forms

noninnocence pseudoinnocence

Phrases

lesser baby innocence presumption of innocence clean hands

Frequently Paired Words

innocent innocency clean hands innocently

Synonyms

unguilt naivety unworldliness purity harmlessness innocuity idiocy moronity blamelessness cleanness inculpability innocence

Antonyms

guilt blameworthiness culpability guiltiness noninnocence uninnocence harmfulness nocence

Questions

How do you pronounce innocence?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɪnəsn̩s/.
What does innocence mean?
Absence of responsibility for a crime, tort, etc.
Where does innocence come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce innocence

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “innocence”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɪnəsn̩s/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “innocence”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “innocence” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.