How Do You Spell NAIVELY?

Pronunciation: [na͡ɪˈiːvli] (IPA)

The word "naively" is spelled with the letters "n-a-i-v-e-l-y." However, the pronunciation of this word does not match its spelling. The IPA phonetic transcription for "naively" is /naɪvli/. This means that the first syllable "na" is pronounced like "nigh" instead of "nay." The second syllable "ive" is pronounced like "eye." Finally, the last syllable "ly" is pronounced like "lee." Despite the irregularity in spelling and pronunciation, "naively" remains a commonly used word in everyday language.

NAIVELY Meaning and Definition

  1. Naively is an adverb that describes a manner of thinking or behaving characterized by a lack of experience, wisdom, or sophistication. It refers to someone who approaches a situation or problem with a childlike innocence, believing in the inherent goodness of others and often lacking suspicion or skepticism.

    A naive individual tends to trust others easily and may believe that people always have good intentions. They may have a limited understanding of the world and may lack the knowledge or comprehension to critically assess situations. This can lead to a susceptibility to manipulation or deception.

    Naive behavior often stems from a lack of exposure or experience, particularly regarding deceit, dishonesty, or complexity. It can also be the result of sheltered upbringing or insulated environments that shield individuals from the realities of the world. Consequently, naive individuals may make unwise decisions or engage in actions that could endanger their own well-being or leave them vulnerable to exploitation.

    The term does not necessarily connote stupidity or lack of intelligence, but rather a lack of awareness or sophistication in specific areas. It implies a level of innocence and assumes an optimistic worldview, which may be admirable but can also come across as gullible or excessively trusting. It is important to note that being naive is not a permanent attribute and can be modified or improved over time through exposure, learning, and growth.

  2. With unaffected simplicity.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for NAIVELY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for NAIVELY

Etymology of NAIVELY

The word "naively" comes from the adjective "naive", which is derived from the French word "naïf". The French term "naïf" ultimately originated from the Latin word "nativus", meaning "natural" or "innate". Over time, "naive" has been adopted into various languages, including English, with "naively" being the adverb form that describes someone acting in a naive manner.

Similar spelling words for NAIVELY

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