guiltless

[ gilt-lis ]

adjective

1. free from guilt; innocent.
2. having no knowledge or experience; innocent (usually followed by of ).
3. destitute or devoid (usually followed by of ):

   a house guiltless of any charm.

guiltless

/ ˈɡɪltlɪs /

adjective

1. free of all responsibility for wrongdoing or crime; innocent

Derived Forms

• ˈguiltlessness, noun
• ˈguiltlessly, adverb

Other Words From

• guiltless·ly adverb
• guiltless·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of guiltless¹

Middle English word dating back to 1150–1200; guilt, -less

Synonym Study

See innocent.

Example Sentences

Regular beer drinkers who enjoy the taste of beer and not the intoxicating aspect, like me, can guiltlessly enjoy a nonalcoholic beer, even during the workday.

From Salon

There’s a famous quote, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act. God will not hold us guiltless.”

From Washington Times

The moment we were alone, the guiltless cherub mutated into Cerberus, screaming and scratching at me.

From New York Times

“Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act. God will not hold us guiltless.”

From Washington Times

Even if we are not directly responsible for someone’s plummeting into destitution, are we guiltless if we refuse to erect adequate and durable safety nets?

From Seattle Times