Naïve
/naɪˈiːv/noun
Lacking experience, wisdom, or judgment; innocent or simplistic.
Did you know?Naïve entered English through French, where it originally meant “natural” or “native,” from Latin nativus, the same root behind natal and native.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gene-
“to beget, give birth”
Latin
Latin
nātīvus
“born, native; natural”
Old French
Old French
naif
“natural, native; simple, unsophisticated”
Middle English
English
naive
“natural; unaffected; inexperienced”
Modern English
English
naïve
“lacking experience, wisdom, or judgment”