This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
childish
[ chahyl-dish ]
/ ˈtʃaɪl dɪʃ /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
of, like, or befitting a child: childish games.
puerile; weak; silly: childish fears.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
synonym study for childish
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.
OTHER WORDS FROM childish
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH childish
childish , childlike (see synonym study at the current entry)Words nearby childish
Childers, childfree, child guidance, childhood, childing, childish, child labor, child labor laws, child labour, childlike, childly
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use childish in a sentence
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 of childish
childishly, adverbchildishness, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012