naive
Believing things too easily because you have not yet learned how tricky people can be.
naive in a sentence
- Jack was so naive that he swapped his cow for a handful of so-called magic beans.
- Only a naive shopper would believe an advert promising free gold coins.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to naive?
- Awise
- Btrusting
- Cworldly
Show the answer
B: trusting. The other three mean the opposite of naive.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to naive?
- Atrusting
- Bgullible
- Cwise
- Dinnocent
Show the answer
C: wise. The other three mean nearly the same as naive.
Words that mean something similar
trusting, innocent, gullible
Words that mean the opposite
wise, worldly
Careful: naive is not gullible
Naive is trusting because you have not learned otherwise yet. Gullible is being easy to fool. Read why children mix them up.
More words about character & personality
- noted: Well known and respected, especially for a particular skill.
- notorious: Famous for something bad.
- objective: Based on facts rather than on personal feelings.
- obstinate: Refusing to change your mind or do what others want, however hard they try.
- odious: So unpleasant that it makes you feel strong dislike.
- outcast: A person who has been rejected and left out by others.
- passive: Letting things happen without trying to act or change them.
- persevere: To keep trying even when something is difficult.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test