childish
[ chahyl-dish ]
/ ˈtʃaɪl dɪʃ /
adjective
of, like, or befitting a child: childish games.
puerile; weak; silly: childish fears.
Nearby words
childers, childfree, childhood, childhood muscular dystrophy, childing, childish, childlike, childly, childminder, childness, childproof
Related forms
Can be confused
childish childlike (see synonym study at the current entry)Synonym study
2. 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for childish
British Dictionary definitions for childish
childish
/ (ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ) /
adjective
in the manner of, belonging to, or suitable to a child
foolish or petty; puerilechildish fears
Derived Forms
childishly, adverbchildishness, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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