Usage Note
Innocence covers legal innocence (not guilty) and the purity or naivety associated with childhood. Présumer l'innocence ('to presume innocence') is a legal cornerstone phrase. The adjective innocent also functions informally as a noun meaning a naive or simple-minded person.
Examples
"Le jury a reconnu son innocence."
Natural Translation
The jury acknowledged his innocence.
Related Words
Explore French by topic
FrenchNow
6 min read