childish

[chahyl-dish]

adjective

1. of, like, or befitting a child.

   childish games.

2. puerile; weak; silly.

   childish fears.

childish

/ ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ /

adjective

1. in the manner of, belonging to, or suitable to a child

2. foolish or petty; puerile

   childish fears

Other Word Forms

• childishly adverb
• childishness noun
• overchildish adjective
• overchildishly adverb
• overchildishness noun
• unchildish adjective
• unchildishly adverb
• unchildishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of childish¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English childisch, Old English cildisc; child + -ish ¹

Synonym Study

Childish, infantile, childlike refer to characteristics or qualities of childhood. The ending -ish often has unfavorable connotations; childish therefore refers to characteristics that are undesirable and unpleasant: childish selfishness, outbursts of temper. Infantile, originally a general word, now often carries an even stronger idea of disapproval or scorn than does childish: infantile reasoning, behavior. The ending -like has pleasing or neutral connotations; childlike therefore refers to the characteristics that are desirable and admirable: childlike innocence, trust.

Example Sentences

Kelly: Are you still able to keep that same love and childish enjoyment now?

From BBC

Patricia also created a children’s book, titled “Joaquin’s First School Shooting,” which illustrates in childish drawings — and no uncertain terms — what exactly happened to her son and the other kids on that awful day.

From Los Angeles Times

I am by age but we all act very childish around each another - very silly.

From BBC

Fox News anchor Trace Gallagher referred to the tone as “childish.”

From Los Angeles Times

But as they grew up, they too started to see the brand as "childish" and stopped shopping there.

From BBC

Related Words

• childlike 
• foolish 
• naive 
• youthful