ingenue

English

/ˈɑnʒənu/, /ˌænʒeɪˈnjuː/

noun

Definitions

An innocent, unsophisticated, naïve, wholesome girl or young woman.
(theatre) A dramatic role of such a woman; an actress playing such a role.
(rare)

Etymology

Borrowed from French ingénue derived from Latin ingenuus (frank, ingenuous, of noble character).

Origin

Latin

ingenuus

Gloss

frank, ingenuous, of noble character

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms

ingenuous English
ingénue English
gignō Latin
ingenuus Latin
ingenuo Italian
ingénu French
ingénue French
ingenuo Spanish, Castilian
ingénuo Portuguese
ingenu Catalan, Valencian