faux-naïf

[ foh-nah-eef ]

adjective

1. marked by a pretense of simplicity or innocence; disingenuous.

noun

1. a person who shrewdly affects an attitude or pose of simplicity or innocence.

faux-naïf

/ fonaif /

adjective

1. appearing or seeking to appear simple and unsophisticated

   a faux-naïf narration

noun

1. a person who pretends to be naïve

Word History and Origins

Origin of faux-naïf¹

From French, dating back to 1940–45; faux, naive

Word History and Origins

Origin of faux-naïf¹

French: false naïve

Example Sentences

She paints a thick inky black-on-white, in a faux-naïf pastiche of East and West.

From New York Times

With his faux-naïf manner, Earl enters into his new life of crime with an ironically bland air of innocence.

From The New Yorker

The Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, N.H., had one of her utterly original, droll, faux-naïf sculptural ensembles.

From Washington Post

Todd Bienvenu paints both oil and acrylic in a faux-naïf style of broad approximate strokes, bright high-contrast colors and heavy impasto.

From New York Times

When this meets a blank stare, she clarifies: “The young faux-naïf making up to the aging star. It’s called ‘All About Eve.’ ”

From New York Times