childlike

[ chahyld-lahyk ]

adjective

1. like a child, as in innocence, frankness, etc.; befitting a child:

   childlike trust.

   Synonyms: innocent, trusting, guileless, simple, ingenuous, young

   Antonyms: adult, sophisticated

childlike

/ ˈtʃaɪldˌlaɪk /

adjective

1. See childish
   like or befitting a child, as in being innocent, trustful, etc Compare childish

Other Words From

• childlikeness noun
• un·childlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of childlike¹

First recorded in 1580–90; child + -like

Synonym Study

See childish.

Example Sentences

I always found myself reading the replies with an almost childlike eagerness, a need to be comforted—or at least told what to expect.

From Time

He could been my son, but I felt childlike before his authority.

From Outside Online

Stephan Pastis, creator of “Pearls Before Swine,” views Calvin as an expression of pure childlike id, yet thinks there is a whole other dynamic that makes many of Calvin’s acts of imagination so appealing.

From Washington Post

I looked up at the stars and felt my childlike wonder return.

From MIT Technology Review

There’s a real sense of childlike treasure-hunting tied to foraging.

From Eater

But then the summit gives way to the other side of the hill, and a childlike glee arises from the whooooosh of the descent.

From The Daily Beast

Too many people reverted to a childlike state, and they wanted a daddy-protector.

From The Daily Beast

Their playful exhibitions are often meant to be interactive and instill a childlike sense of joy in the viewer.

From The Daily Beast

“Her reporting was childlike but graphic,” says the documents.

From The Daily Beast

Childlike Elvis Presley was amusing but a complete failure in the feathers.

From The Daily Beast

With childlike confidence he follows the advice of some more or less honest dealer.

From Project Gutenberg

In his childlike, impulsive fashion he had not thought of the future when he adopted Jean.

From Project Gutenberg

There was in his voice a sound of warm yet almost childlike enthusiasm, with which she was becoming very familiar.

From Project Gutenberg

So Aristide, in his childlike way, found remarkable happiness in Beverly Stoke.

From Project Gutenberg

By way of showing a pretty, childlike impatience, she began to beat time with her feet to the spirited air the band was playing.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• childish
• guileless