The word ingenue typically refers to someone who is innocent to the ways of the world, so you probably won't be too surprised to learn that it shares an ancestor—Latin ingenuus —with ingenuous, a word meaning "showing innocent or childlike simplicity and candidness."

Typically, the ingénue is beautiful, kind, gentle, sweet, virginal and often naïve; additionally, she is often in mental, emotional, or even physical danger—usually a target of the cad, whom she may have mistaken for the hero. The ingénue usually lives with her father, husband, or a father figure.

INGÉNUE definition: 1. a young woman who has little experience and is very trusting, especially as played in films and…. Learn more.

An ingenue is a young, innocent girl in a play or film, or an actress who plays the part of young, innocent girls. [ formal ] I don't want any more ingenue roles.

Jun 30, 2024 · Borrowed from French ingénue, the feminine form of ingénu (“guileless”), originally from the Latin ingenuus (“ingenuous”). ingenue (plural ingenues) An innocent, unsophisticated, naïve, wholesome girl or young woman.

Define ingenue. ingenue synonyms, ingenue pronunciation, ingenue translation, English dictionary definition of ingenue. also in·ge·nue n. 1. A naive, innocent girl or young woman. 2. a. The role of an ingénue in a dramatic production. b. An actress playing such a role....

ingénue is a borrowing from French. Etymons: French ingénu.

Definition of ingénue noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

See examples of INGÉNUE used in a sentence.

Ingénue comes from the French ingénu meaning "ingenuous, innocent." The term is used to describe the innocent girl stock character in film or literature. She's usually gentle, sweet, virginal, and pretty naive — which makes her susceptible to the harsh dangers of the world.