guileless

[ gahyl-lis ]

adjective

1. free from deception or slyness; sincere and straightforward:

   No matter the situation, she was always transparent, guileless, and above any petty manipulative ploys.

2. lacking awareness of the world and worldly things; innocent or naive:

   He agreed to this crafty proposal, being guileless, and soon found himself betrayed and in trouble.

ˈguileless

/ ˈɡaɪllɪs /

adjective

1. free from guile; ingenuous

Derived Forms

• ˈguilelessly, adverb
• ˈguilelessness, noun

Other Words From

• guile·less·ly adverb
• guile·less·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of guileless¹

First recorded in 1720–30; guile + -less

Example Sentences

She is a fierce political operative, a guileless influencer and a relentless voice against the far right in this Christian, white, cattle-talking town of about 12,600.

From Los Angeles Times

“Poolman” is Pine’s guileless take on the movies that he name-checks throughout, like the frequently referenced “Chinatown” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”

From Los Angeles Times

The orphaned 20-year-old niece of a London plumber, Cluny is guileless, openhearted and supremely self-confident.

From New York Times

Andrew Koji also shows up as a sidekick for Boy, whom Skarsgard plays as a guileless killing machine.

From New York Times

Sud creates parallels between Clare in Hollywood and Dorothy in Oz, assigning Clare a Kansan back story, a yapping terrier and a guileless attitude.

From New York Times

Related Words

• unsophisticated