ingénue
Guileless young woman
An ingénue is a naive, innocent young woman—or an actress playing such a role.
The term comes from theater, where the ingénue is a stock character: wholesome, unsophisticated, often the romantic lead's love interest.
She was cast as the ingénue in every production until her thirties.
The word can describe anyone projecting girlish innocence, sometimes with a hint that the naïveté is performed rather than genuine.
Unsophisticated and trusting
- pureUnmixed, without impurities
- guilelessFree from deceit
- artlessLacking deceit or cunning
- unworldlyLacking practical awareness
unsophisticated · virginal · wholesome · unblemished · wide-eyed · trusting · inexperienced · sheltered
Formally introduced young woman
- starletRising young actress
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
- leading ladyPrincipal female performer
- soubrettePert stage servant role
debut · audition · casting · script reading · rehearsal · monologue · stage presence · drama school
Unmarried young woman
- damselOld-fashioned maiden
- heroineBrave female protagonist
- waifAbandoned, neglected child
- nymphNature spirit or larva
Ophelia · Cosette · Juliet · Desdemona · romantic interest · fairy tale · coming-of-age · bildungsroman
Sweetly charming
- enchantingDelightfully attractive, spellbinding
- beguilingCharmingly deceptive
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
- demureModestly reserved in manner
coy · sweet · delightful · endearing · adorable · fresh-faced · youthful · appealing
naïve
Unsophisticated and trusting
unworldly · unsophisticated · virginal · wholesome · unblemished · wide-eyed · trusting · inexperienced · sheltered · untouched
debutante
Formally introduced young woman
- starletRising young actress
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
- leading ladyPrincipal female performer
soubrette · debut · audition · casting · script reading · rehearsal · monologue · stage presence · drama school · spotlight
maiden
Unmarried young woman
nymph · Ophelia · Cosette · Juliet · Desdemona · romantic interest · fairy tale · coming-of-age · bildungsroman · dewy
winsome
Sweetly charming
- enchantingDelightfully attractive, spellbinding
- beguilingCharmingly deceptive
- captivatingDeeply holding one's attention
demure · coy · sweet · delightful · endearing · adorable · fresh-faced · youthful · appealing · graceful
ingénuesophisticate
Worldly, cultured person
woman of the world · cynic · coquette · vamp · old hand
ingénuefemme fatale
Treacherous enchantress
temptress · seductress · siren · villainess · vamp
ingénuegrande dame
Esteemed senior woman
leading lady · diva · prima donna · matriarch · dowager
ingenuity, ingenuous, ingenue, candidness, naiveness, ingenues