variants
or naïve
naiver; naivest
1
2
b
: not previously subjected to experimentation or a particular experimental situation
made the test with naive rats
also
: not having previously used a particular drug (such as marijuana)
c
: not having been exposed previously to an antigen
naive T cells
3
a
b
: produced by or as if by a self-taught artist
naive murals
naively
adverb
or naïvely
naiveness
noun
Examples of naive in a Sentence
Secularism requires a commitment to civil liberty, which rests partly on respect for civil disobedience—peaceful acts of conscience that challenge rules of law. If civil libertarianism is naïve, then so is the hope of secular government.
—
Wendy Kaminer, Free Inquiry, December 2008/January 2009
He exhibits a naïve sort of confidence when talking about the doubts surrounding him and the perceived slights in the draft run-up.
—Peter King, Sports Illustrated, 1 May 2006
His crimes were described as mere bumps in the road, minor offenses committed by a man-boy described as innocent, naïve, trusting, a simple country boy who got lost in airports and was astonished to find out that he could order a pizza over the phone.
—Pat Jordan, Harper's, October 2004
a naive belief that all people are good
a naive view of the world
She asked a lot of naive questions.
I was young and naive at the time, and I didn't think anything bad could happen to me.
The plan seems a little naive.
If you're naive enough to believe him, you'll believe anyone.
Wendy Kaminer, Free Inquiry, December 2008/January 2009
He exhibits a naïve sort of confidence when talking about the doubts surrounding him and the perceived slights in the draft run-up.
—Peter King, Sports Illustrated, 1 May 2006
His crimes were described as mere bumps in the road, minor offenses committed by a man-boy described as innocent, naïve, trusting, a simple country boy who got lost in airports and was astonished to find out that he could order a pizza over the phone.
—Pat Jordan, Harper's, October 2004
a naive belief that all people are good
a naive view of the world
She asked a lot of naive questions.
I was young and naive at the time, and I didn't think anything bad could happen to me.
The plan seems a little naive.
If you're naive enough to believe him, you'll believe anyone.
Recent Examples on the Web
Even Portugal, who have been naive defensively but have considerable pace in attack, could threaten in transition, and Italy will need to shore up that element of their game to avoid being caught out.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 4 July 2025
How did an obscure, scientifically naive mining society discover the wheel, when highly advanced civilizations, such as the ancient Egyptians, did not?
—Kai James, JSTOR Daily, 3 July 2025
So, the whole thing just seems naive from people who’ve been oppressed by this murderous regime for 46 years.
—Fiction Non Fiction
july 3, Literary Hub, 3 July 2025
How naive of me to expect that those in the public eye would at least pretend to possess tact, diplomacy, magnanimity and graciousness rather than bark and growl like an angry pit bull on a thick clanking chain.
—Louis Balsamo, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for naive
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Cerys Jones, New York Times, 4 July 2025
How did an obscure, scientifically naive mining society discover the wheel, when highly advanced civilizations, such as the ancient Egyptians, did not?
—Kai James, JSTOR Daily, 3 July 2025
So, the whole thing just seems naive from people who’ve been oppressed by this murderous regime for 46 years.
—Fiction Non Fiction
july 3, Literary Hub, 3 July 2025
How naive of me to expect that those in the public eye would at least pretend to possess tact, diplomacy, magnanimity and graciousness rather than bark and growl like an angry pit bull on a thick clanking chain.
—Louis Balsamo, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for naive
Cite this Entry
“Naive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naive. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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Etymology
from French naïve "having a natural simplicity and honesty," from early French naïf "being part of the nature of a person from birth, native, inborn," from Latin nativus "native," from natus, past participle of nasci "to be born" — related to native
Medical Definition
naive
adjective
na·ive
variants
or naïve
naiver; naivest
1
: not previously subjected to experimentation or a particular experimental situation
naive laboratory rats
2
: not having previously used a particular drug (as marijuana)
3
: not having been exposed previously to an antigen
a naive immune system
naive T cells
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