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childish Definition

child·ish (c̸hīl′dis̸h)

adjective

  1. of, like, or characteristic of a child
  2. not fit for an adult; immature; silly

Etymology: ME < OE cildisc: see child & -ish

childish Related Forms
child′·ishly adverb child′·ish·ness noun
childish Synonyms

childish

modif.

  1. Having qualities of a child

    childlike, immature, babyish, baby, infantile, juvenile, puerile, youthful, primitive, boyish, girlish, adolescent, sophomoric, simple, green, soft, kiddish*; see also naive, simple 1, young 2.

    Antonyms adult, mature*, sophisticated.

  2. Silly or stupid

    foolish, puerile, absurd, weak; see silly, stupid 1.

  3. Childlike because of senility

    senile, in one's dotage, in one's second childhood; see old 1.

childish and childlike are both applied to persons of any age in referring to characteristics or qualities considered typical of a child, childish suggesting unfavorable qualities such as immaturity, foolishness, petulance, etc. and childlike, the favorable, as innocence, guilelessness, trustfulness, etc.

childish Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • rather: The few jokes that were in the script seemed forced and were rather childish.
  • almost: Altogether, it seemed almost childish to expect any result.
  • too: I have two camps of jokes, they're either too childish or shouldn't really go on a website of family content.
  • away: Paul said, " when I became a man I put away childish things.
  • extremely: This argument, which seems so crushing, is, in reality, extremely childish.
  • quite: They don't realize that their been quite childish.

Infinitive complement

  • think: It is childish to think that bourgeois belles lettres can make a breach in class solidarity.
  • suppose: It was childish to suppose that such a man could be up to any good.

Modifies a noun

  • glee: He stopped and looked, then laughed with childish glee, - " Why wait ye here without?
  • petulance: The year is 2001 most disputes are settle properly and without childish petulance because they cannot get their own way.
  • prank: He is in danger of becoming some childish prank " ).
  • antic: The real culprits However, the real culprits in these childish antics are to be found in the Department for Transport.
  • tantrum: Kevin Russell and Heath combined to embarrass the Preston keeper and lead to some rather childish tantrums from Beck on the touchline.
  • innocence: But is Frankie's adult perception of Hetty to be preferred to that of her childish innocence when she first met her?

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: Altogether, it seemed almost childish to expect any result.
  • sound: Hey I share the sentiment, but that song just sounds childish.
  • look: This made the magazine stand out from alternative titles on the shelf, but had the side effect of looking slightly childish.
  • appear: While these appear childish, they work surprisingly well with adults too.
  • get: I have to admit that I can get very childish about signs sometimes.
  • act: Laura's school has frankly been acting childish over the whole issue, as has herself.
childish Quotes

Remember that all tricks are either knavish or childish.

—Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

I remember, I remember, The fir trees dark and high; I used to think their slender tops Were close against the sky: It was a childish ignorance, But now 'tis little joy To know I'm farther off from heav'n Than when I was a boy.

—Honorius of Autun

So cruel prison how could betide, alas, As proud Windsor? Where I in lust and joy With a king's son my childish years did pass In greater feast than Priam's sons of Troy.

—Surrey, Henry Howard, Earl of

   Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and havenotcharity,Iam becomeassounding brass, ora tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all mygoodstofeed thepoor, and though Igivemy body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not herown, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

—Bible (NewTestament)