naif
pronunciation
How to pronounce naif in British English:
UK [nɑ:'i:v]
How to pronounce naif in American English:
US [nɑ'iv]
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- Adjective:
- marked by or showing unaffected simplicity and lack of guile or worldly experience
Word Origin
- naif (adj.)
- 1590s, from French naïf, literally "naive" (see naive). As a noun, first attested 1893, from French, where Old French naif also meant "native inhabitant; simpleton, natural fool."
Example
- 1. The house was varnished naif outside .
- 2. Kim jong-il was nobody 's political naif , so we must assume that he judged his third son the best available choice .
- 3. Which do you favor better , chaussure de foot , naif or red ?
- 4. Their gee - whiz , faux - naif comportment is not always convincing ( madison bell )
- 5. The introduction is stiff , embarrassing ; naif .