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  • Adj.

naive

NAH-eev

Context
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Even though my brother is twenty-five years old, he is still naive or too trusting of people. The other day, two strangers asked my naive and innocent brother for one thousand dollars, promising to pay him back the next week. Because my brother is so naive or lacking in experience, he gave them the money; of course, he never saw them again. Someday his naive or simple nature, which people can take such advantage of, might get him into even more trouble.

Quiz: What is something a naive person might do?

  • Trick someone into giving them some money.
  • Try to focus on homework despite being tired.
  • Think that everyone is telling them the truth.

Memory Hook
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Knives A naive person would even trust someone who carries around knives.

Examples
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  • I was so naive as a kid I used to sneak behind the barn and do nothing. — Johnny Carson, American television host Johnny carson, american television host
  • One of the first things that, in that very naive way, you attempted to deal with were the kind of funny, swinging, London-type things that were going on. — Rolling Stone
  • They are not naïve to think that “unfair” circumstances don’t exist, but they find ways around them rather than dwelling on the perceived unfairness of it all. — Forbes
  • So, while it would be naive to deny LeBron's influence, it isn't exactly right to make it seem as if the resumption of the season would be all about him. — Sports Illustrated

Word Ingredients
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nat be born

The phrase “born yesterday” could easily describe a naive person since they don’t know things they should, as if they were very young.

Word Theater
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Bourne Supremacy He cannot believe that she is that naive.
264

Word Constellation
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Naive

Word Variants
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naiveté n the condition of being too trusting