naïf
Guileless, trusting soul
A naïf is a naive person—someone inexperienced, unsophisticated, or guileless.
The word often implies artistic or intellectual innocence rather than mere ignorance: He played the naïf, pretending not to understand the scheme.
In art criticism, a naïf is an untrained artist whose work has a childlike or primitive quality.
The French spelling with the diaeresis gives it a slightly elevated or ironic tone compared to plain "naive."
Free from deceit
- trustingInclined to believe others
- candidHonest and direct
- sincereGenuinely felt, not feigned
- openNot closed
transparent · genuine · heartfelt · honest · straightforward · unaffected · unassuming · unpretentious
Amazement or curiosity
- curiosityDesire to learn
- playfulInclined toward fun
- imaginativeAble to conceive new ideas
- wide-eyedShowing naive amazement
innocent · trusting · simple · pure · unspoiled · uncorrupted · unblemished · uncynical
Lacking practical awareness
- greenColor of vegetation
- unseasonedLacking flavor or experience
- uninitiatedLacking specialized knowledge
- untutoredWithout formal instruction
unschooled · raw · untried · callow · fledgling · novice · newcomer · tenderfoot
Traditional community craftsmanship
- self-taughtEducated without instructors
- primitiveIn earliest form
- brutUnsweetened sparkling wine designation
- visionaryImaginative planner of futures
autodidact · untrained · intuitive · spontaneous · Rousseau · raw · unschooled · vernacular
guileless
Free from deceit
open · transparent · genuine · heartfelt · honest · straightforward · unaffected · unassuming · unpretentious · artless
wonder
Amazement or curiosity
- curiosityDesire to learn
- playfulInclined toward fun
- imaginativeAble to conceive new ideas
wide-eyed · innocent · trusting · simple · pure · unspoiled · uncorrupted · unblemished · uncynical · optimistic
unworldly
Lacking practical awareness
- greenColor of vegetation
- unseasonedLacking flavor or experience
- uninitiatedLacking specialized knowledge
untutored · unschooled · raw · untried · callow · fledgling · novice · newcomer · tenderfoot · greenhorn
folk-art
Traditional community craftsmanship
- self-taughtEducated without instructors
- primitiveIn earliest form
- brutUnsweetened sparkling wine designation
visionary · autodidact · untrained · intuitive · spontaneous · Rousseau · raw · unschooled · vernacular · grassroots
naïfsophisticate
Worldly, cultured person
worldly · cosmopolitan · worldly-wise · man of the world · woman of the world
naïfcynic
Doubter of good intentions
skeptic · doubter · skeptical · cynical · suspicious
naïfpragmatist
One favoring practical approaches
realist · shrewd · street-smart · streetwise · hardheaded
- naïve artUntrained, simplified visual expression