ingenue

noun

in·ge·nue ˈan-jə-ˌnü How to pronounce ingenue (audio)

ˈän-;

ˈaⁿ-zhə-,

ˈäⁿ-

variants or ingénue

: a naive girl or young woman

: the stage role of an ingenue

also : an actress playing such a role

Did you know?

Although Becky Sharp, the ambitious heroine of William Makepeace Thackeray's 1848 novel Vanity Fair, is not usually thought of as innocent or naive, the author used ingenue to describe her as having those qualities. Thackeray's use was attributive: "When attacked sometimes, Becky had a knack of adopting a demure ingenue air, under which she was most dangerous." 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." More directly, our ingenue comes from French ingénue, the feminine form of ingénu, meaning "ingenuous."

Example Sentences

In her latest film she plays the part of an ingenue.

Recent Examples on the Web Nancy Livingston, then an ingenue named Nancy Olson, who portrayed a novice screenwriter and Holden’s love interest, is the last surviving member of the cast.

Dana Goodyear, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022 The novel contains all the tropes of popular escapist fiction: exotic locations, extravagant sumptuousness, an older, experienced person seducing a naive ingenue.

Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 4 Aug. 2022 Foster met that challenge and then some, bringing a quirkier personality and spunk to a role that can often read as a milquetoast ingenue.

Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 7 June 2022 And now that Michele is taking over the role from Beanie Feldstein in the first Broadway revival, an air of triumph seems to be turning the tides on perceptions of the Spring Awakening ingenue.

Naveen Kumar, Town & Country, 12 July 2022 His mother was a beautiful actress, Giovanna Farussi, who was a muse of the great dramatist Carlo Goldoni and achieved stardom playing the ingenue in his comedies all over Europe.

Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 20 June 2022 Makeup artist Kale Teter complemented the hairstyle created by DJ Quintero, by leaning into the graceful ingenue look with plenty of blush and long, fluttery lashes to boot.

Abby Dupes, Seventeen, 21 Apr. 2022 Now her portrayal as a blond-haired ingenue whose escapades are sensationalized to sell newspapers is considered inspired casting.

Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 Apr. 2022 And Rachel is no wide-eyed ingenue dazzled by Sorokin’s tacky displays of wealth and gaggle of celebrity hangers-on.

Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2022 See More

单词	ingenue
释义	ingenue noun in·ge·nue ˈan-jə-ˌnü ˈän-; ˈaⁿ-zhə-, ˈäⁿ- variants or ingénue 1 : a naive girl or young woman 2 : the stage role of an ingenue also : an actress playing such a role Did you know? Although Becky Sharp, the ambitious heroine of William Makepeace Thackeray's 1848 novel Vanity Fair, is not usually thought of as innocent or naive, the author used ingenue to describe her as having those qualities. Thackeray's use was attributive: "When attacked sometimes, Becky had a knack of adopting a demure ingenue air, under which she was most dangerous." 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." More directly, our ingenue comes from French ingénue, the feminine form of ingénu, meaning "ingenuous." Example Sentences In her latest film she plays the part of an ingenue. Recent Examples on the Web Nancy Livingston, then an ingenue named Nancy Olson, who portrayed a novice screenwriter and Holden’s love interest, is the last surviving member of the cast. Dana Goodyear, The New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2022 The novel contains all the tropes of popular escapist fiction: exotic locations, extravagant sumptuousness, an older, experienced person seducing a naive ingenue. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 4 Aug. 2022 Foster met that challenge and then some, bringing a quirkier personality and spunk to a role that can often read as a milquetoast ingenue. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 7 June 2022 And now that Michele is taking over the role from Beanie Feldstein in the first Broadway revival, an air of triumph seems to be turning the tides on perceptions of the Spring Awakening ingenue. Naveen Kumar, Town & Country, 12 July 2022 His mother was a beautiful actress, Giovanna Farussi, who was a muse of the great dramatist Carlo Goldoni and achieved stardom playing the ingenue in his comedies all over Europe. Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 20 June 2022 Makeup artist Kale Teter complemented the hairstyle created by DJ Quintero, by leaning into the graceful ingenue look with plenty of blush and long, fluttery lashes to boot. Abby Dupes, Seventeen, 21 Apr. 2022 Now her portrayal as a blond-haired ingenue whose escapades are sensationalized to sell newspapers is considered inspired casting. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 20 Apr. 2022 And Rachel is no wide-eyed ingenue dazzled by Sorokin’s tacky displays of wealth and gaggle of celebrity hangers-on. Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2022 See More Word History Etymology French ingénue, feminine of ingénu ingenuous, from Latin ingenuus First Known Use 1839, in the meaning defined at sense 2 ingenue noun variants or ingénue as in angel an innocent girl or young woman In her latest film she plays the part of an ingenue. Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance angel innocent naïf virgin naif greenhorn fledgling tenderfoot newbie babe colt saint cherub lamb sheep cub dove dupe weakling wimp pigeon sucker softy softie sap Antonyms & Near Antonyms cad tough roughneck clown boor lout creep heel rowdy scoundrel bully churl louse villain slob beast jerk cur cretin joker rascal scamp snake rogue rapscallion reprobate skunk shark stinker knave devil scalawag varlet miscreant wolf scallywag no-good See More
随便看	chatted chatted (with) chatted up chatted with chattel chattel corporeal chattel interest chattel slave chattel slavery chattel slaves chattelism chattelization chattelize chattels chattels corporeal chattels personal chattels real chatter chatter mark chatter water chatterati chatterbox chatterbox tree chatterboxes chattered

ingenue

noun

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History

noun