naive
Easily taken in
Naive (or naïve) is an adjective that refers to a lack of experience or understanding as the basis for a person’s thinking or conduct: It would be naïve to think that few professional sports have a problem with performance-enhancing drugs.
Naïve can be used to label an idea or response as inadequate, while avoiding the suggestion that someone is stupid: The naïve woman didn’t understand the danger involved.
Naïve can have a positive connotation when applied to performers and artists, when it suggests natural talent that is uninfluenced by training or technique.
Prone to blind trust
- trustingInclined to believe others
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- guilelessFree from deceit
- unwaryWithout due caution
exploitable · suggestible · impressionable · dupable · deceivable · susceptible · soft-touch · unquestioning
Unmixed, without impurities
- artlessLacking deceit or cunning
- ingenuousInnocently frank and trusting
- wholesomeConducive to well-being
- childlikeHaving youthful innocence
uncorrupted · unspoiled · unblemished · untouched · angelic · unaffected · simple · sincere
Expecting positive results
- utopianImpractically perfect in conception
- romanticConducive to love
- starry-eyedNaively romantic or idealistic
- quixoticImpractically pursuing lofty goals
dreamy · hopeful · unrealistic · wishful · rose-colored · pollyannaish · impractical · visionary
Inexperienced newcomer to field
- beginnerOne who lacks experience
- rookieInexperienced newcomer
- neophyteInexperienced beginner
- greenhornInexperienced, gullible newcomer
fledgling · apprentice · trainee · newbie · tyro · learner · amateur · untrained
Regional or narrow-minded
- rusticRural and unrefined
- unworldlyLacking practical awareness
- simpleFree of complexity
- shelteredKept safe from harm
parochial · small-town · homespun · unrefined · unpolished · countrified · backwater · insular
Lacking sound judgment
- imprudentLacking careful forethought
- recklessCarelessly ignoring danger
- shortsightedUnable to see ahead
- ill-advisedShowing poor judgment
thoughtless · careless · heedless · rash · hasty · injudicious · misguided · senseless
credulous
Prone to blind trust
- trustingInclined to believe others
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
- guilelessFree from deceit
unwary · exploitable · suggestible · impressionable · dupable · deceivable · susceptible · soft-touch · unquestioning · uncritical
pure
Unmixed, without impurities
- artlessLacking deceit or cunning
- ingenuousInnocently frank and trusting
- wholesomeConducive to well-being
childlike · uncorrupted · unspoiled · unblemished · untouched · angelic · unaffected · simple · sincere · open
optimistic
Expecting positive results
- utopianImpractically perfect in conception
- romanticConducive to love
- starry-eyedNaively romantic or idealistic
quixotic · dreamy · hopeful · unrealistic · wishful · rose-colored · pollyannaish · impractical · visionary · dreamer
novice
Inexperienced newcomer to field
greenhorn · fledgling · apprentice · trainee · newbie · tyro · learner · amateur · untrained · raw
provincial
Regional or narrow-minded
sheltered · parochial · small-town · homespun · unrefined · unpolished · countrified · backwater · insular · cloistered
unwise
Lacking sound judgment
- imprudentLacking careful forethought
- recklessCarelessly ignoring danger
- shortsightedUnable to see ahead
ill-advised · thoughtless · careless · heedless · rash · hasty · injudicious · misguided · senseless · ill-considered
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- borrowed wordschic, passe, avant-garde, faux, bon vivant
- Smartsintelligent, genius, smart, gifted, brilliant
- childlikeinnocent, wide-eyed, wonder, playful, guileless
- idealisticidealist, idealistic, utopian, quixotic, dreamer
- trusting traitsgullible, trustful, credulous, confiding, guileless
naiveworldly
Experienced in practical affairs
sophisticated · experienced · worldly-wise · streetwise · street-smart
naiveskeptical
Inclined to question claims
cynical · suspicious · wary · mistrustful · distrustful
- naive artUntrained, childlike creative work