artless

comparative more artless · superlative most artless

1. Having or displaying no guile, cunning, or deceit.

   What passions our friendships were in those old days, how artless and void of doubt!

   1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 19, in The History of Pendennis. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC

   2 more examples

   And why should I here suppress the delight I received from this amiable creature, in remarking each artless look, each motion of pure undissembled nature, betrayed by his wanton eyes

   Fanny Hill

   1749, [John Cleland], “(Please specify the letter or volume)”, in Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure [Fanny Hill], London: […] [Thomas Parker] for G. Fenton [i.e., Fenton and Ralph Griffiths] […], →OCLC

   I am convinced of her being an artless, amiable girl, with very good notions, very seriously good principles, and placing her happiness in the affections and utility of domestic life.

   1815, Jane Austen, Emma, volume III, chapter 18

   Synonyms: callow, childlike, verdant, clueless, credulous, dewy-eyed, cute, fleeceable · Antonyms: callow, childlike, verdant, clueless, credulous, dewy-eyed, cute, fleeceable

2. Free of artificiality; natural.

   This pendant has artless charm.

3. Lacking art, knowledge, or skill; uncultured and ignorant.
4. Poorly made or done; crude.