infantilism
Americannoun
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the persistence in an adult of markedly childish anatomical, physiological, or psychological characteristics.
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an infantile act, trait, etc., especially in an adult.
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a speech disorder characterized by speech and voice patterns that are typical of very young children.
noun
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psychol
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a condition in which an older child or adult is mentally or physically undeveloped
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isolated instances of infantile behaviour in mature persons
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childish speech; baby talk
Etymology
Origin of infantilism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s a childish move, but in keeping with the infantilism that still shapes the brothers’ uneasy relationship and their awkwardness with outsiders, particularly women.
From New York Times ● Nov. 30, 2021
Others might speculate on this, but only I can truly channel Trump, since only I possess the requisite degree of infantilism:
From Washington Post ● Jan. 27, 2021
Not even Tolkien’s vast philological scholarship, his deep knowledge of mythology, and his world-building skills could impress what Moorcock and company saw as a troublesome infantilism inherent in Tolkien’s work.
From The New Yorker ● Dec. 31, 2014
Even my son’s embarrassed by the infantilism of my tastes, but there’s some good stuff out there now.
From The Guardian ● Oct. 25, 2014
Without them, below a certain minimum, the reproductive organs and their secretions will remain infantile, causing a persistent infantilism or delay of puberty.
From The Glands Regulating Personality by Louis Berman M.D.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
