naïf

1 of 2

noun

na·ïf nä-ˈēf

variants or naif

Synonyms of naïf

: a naive person

naïf

2 of 2

Examples of naïf in a Sentence

Adjective the senator, newly elected and still naïf, will learn soon enough how Washington really works

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

David himself is a generic naif whose sole distinguishing trait is a passion for music, curiously sung in unsubtitled Hebrew while the spoken dialogue is in English. —Alison Herman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025

Rogan, wearing his persona as a babe-in-the-woods naif, listened to this nonsense in slack-jawed stupefaction. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024 Both stand in stark contrast to the naif played by Daniela Komędera, who enjoys any prompts for activities and appears glad to be relieved of any opportunity to have to think for herself. —Stephen Saito, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025 David himself is a generic naif whose sole distinguishing trait is a passion for music, curiously sung in unsubtitled Hebrew while the spoken dialogue is in English. —Alison Herman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2025 Rogan, wearing his persona as a babe-in-the-woods naif, listened to this nonsense in slack-jawed stupefaction. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024 Farrow, presenting in the early scenes as an utter naif, discovers the pleasures of running cons; LuPone, who shows up a hellion, develops a sensitivity and nurturing spirit to the lost soul who’s provided her character a home. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024 Angourie Rice plays our ostensible heroine Cady Heron as more of an earnest naif. —Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2024 Reasonable readers will arrive at varied opinions about the taste of all this—the facts are the facts, and the narrative pulses with empathy, but the tone at times resembles cosmic horror, as if Ehrenfest were a Lovecraftian naif driven mad after glimpsing an Elder God. —Amy Brady, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2023

Adjective

Most illustrators play up the coziness of the tale, what with children all snug in their beds dreaming of sugarplums and suchlike, but the friendly lines and marzipan colors of Ms. Beech’s naif illustrations take coziness to a new level. —Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023 Colorful naif pictures by Katie Hickey and text arranged in substantial chunks make this perfect for browsing by young readers with an interest in engineering or architecture. —Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French

First Known Use

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of naïf was circa 1598

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

Naidu

naïf

naig

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Naïf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/na%C3%AFf. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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Last Updated: 12 Apr 2025 - Updated example sentences

naïf

noun

adjective

Synonyms

Examples of naïf in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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naïf

noun

adjective

Synonyms

Examples of naïf in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing naïf

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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