ingenue

Thân thiện

The ingenue played her part with wide-eyed innocence on the stage.

Definition

Noun: 1. The role of an innocent, artless young woman in a play or film: A stock character type, often naive, virtuous, and inexperienced in the ways of the world. 2. An artless, innocent young girl (especially as portrayed on the stage): A person who embodies the qualities of naivety and innocence. 3. An actress who specializes in playing the role of an artless, innocent young girl: A performer typecast in or known for such roles.

Examples

• As a role/character type:
  • She was perfectly cast in the ingenue role for the classic romantic comedy.
  • The play's plot hinges on the corruption of the innocent ingenue.
• As a person embodying innocence:
  • Despite her worldly travels, she retained the wide-eyed charm of an ingenue.
  • He was charmed by her ingenue demeanor.
• As an actress:
  • Early in her career, she worked as a Hollywood ingenue before moving to more dramatic roles.
  • The director was looking for a fresh-faced ingenue to play the lead.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used metaphorically outside of theater to describe someone, especially a young woman, who appears remarkably naive or untouched by cynicism.
  • In the cutthroat world of politics, she played the ingenue, though she was far more shrewd than she let on.
• It can carry a slightly archaic or specific theatrical connotation, distinguishing it from more general terms like "naive girl."

Variants and Related Words

• Ingénue (alternative spelling): The same word, often spelled with an accent, reflecting its French origin.
• Ingenuous (adj): Lacking in sophistication or worldliness; innocent and artless. (Note: Do not confuse with "ingenious," which means clever or inventive).

Synonyms

• Naif: A naive or ingenuous person.
• Innocent: A person free from sin, guilt, or moral wrong.
• Ingenuous person: (Directly related adjective form used as a noun phrase).

Antonyms

• Sophisticate: A person with much worldly experience and knowledge of fashion and culture.
• Cynic: A person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest.
• Femme fatale: A stock character of a mysterious and seductive woman who brings danger to those involved with her.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the role of an innocent artless young woman in a play
2. an artless innocent young girl (especially as portrayed on the stage)
3. an actress who specializes in playing the role of an artless innocent young girl