Ingenue

usgb/ˈændʒənuː/
noun

A young and innocent girl or young actor who plays this kind of character.

In the play, she was cast as the innocent ingenue who falls in love with the hero.
Visual representation of "ingenue" - A young and innocent girl or young actor who plays this kind of character.

Often appears as...

  • play the ingenue
  • innocent ingenue
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "ingenue"
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Literary Origin

Originally, 'ingenue' referred to innocent young women in plays and novels.

Illustration for Literary Origin
Her favorite role was the ingenue in a classic Victorian novel.
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Typecasting Risk

Actors playing ingenues may be typecast, limiting them to similar roles in the future.

Illustration for Typecasting Risk
After several ingenue roles, she sought to avoid typecasting.
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Cultural Shift

Today, the ingenue stereotype is challenged to reflect more complex female characters.

Illustration for Cultural Shift
Modern audiences prefer an ingenue with depth and agency.
Visual representation of the word "Ingenue"

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