word
French
naïve
ny-EEV
naɪˈiːvListen
Hear it in a clear American voice. Slow it down to catch each syllable.
Syllable breakdown
naïve
Sounds like
Both syllables are voiced — say 'ny-EEV', not 'nave'.
Dictionary meaning
Showing a lack of experience or judgement; artless.
History and origin
French — 'native, natural'.
Examples
- It would be naïve to assume that the data was accurate without verification.
Common mispronunciations
NAVENAY-iv
People also look up
Hors d’oeuvre
or-DERV
Rendezvous
RON-day-voo
Bourgeois
BOOR-zhwah
Croissant
kruh-SAHNT (UK) / kruh-SAHNT (US)
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