ingenue

[an-zhuh-noo, -nyoo; Fr. an-zhey-ny]

noun, plural -nues

[-nooz, -nyooz; Fr. -ny] .

the part of an artless, innocent, unworldly girl or young woman, especially as represented on the stage.

an actress who plays such a part or specializes in playing such parts.

Also, in·ge·nue.

Origin:
1840–50; < French, feminine of ingénu < Latin ingenuus native, inborn, etc.; see ingenuous

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Ingenue is always a great word to know.

So is zedonk. Does it mean:

the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.

a fool or simpleton; ninny.

Example Sentences

Berio's humorous and human caricatures of dumb diva, seductress and nervous ingenue.

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

ingenue

1848, from Fr. ingénue "artless girl, especially on the stage," fem. of ingénu "ingenuous, artless, simple" (13c.), from L. ingenuus (see ingenuous).

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in·gé·nue