VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

childish

adjective·Everydaydisapproving

Last updated

UK/ˈtʃaɪl.dɪʃ/
US/ˈtʃaɪl.dɪʃ/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparabledisapproving

    Acting in a silly, selfish or immature way that suits a young child more than an adult.

    Grammar: Works before a noun or after be: childish behavior; he is being childish.

    Patterns

    • it is childish to do something
    • be childish about something

    It was childish of him to refuse to speak to her.

    Stop being so childish and share the toys.

    Their childish quarrel lasted all afternoon.

  2. adjectivebefore a nounold-fashioned

    Typical of or suitable for a child.

    Grammar: Neutral and used before a noun, mostly in older writing: a childish scrawl.

    Patterns

    • childish handwriting

    The letter was written in a round, childish hand.

    She had a high, childish voice even as an adult.

Word forms

comparativemore childish
superlativemost childish

Common combinations

childish behavior
The childish behavior of the councillors was reported in the press.
childish prank
Hiding his colleague's keys was a childish prank.
childish tantrum
He threw a childish tantrum when he lost.
childish grin
A childish grin spread across her face.
be childish about
Don't be childish about sharing.

Synonyms and how they differ

immature
Immature is a more general and slightly more formal word for behavior that has not grown up, whereas childish stresses silliness.
infantile
Infantile is harsher and describes behavior suitable for a baby.
juvenile
Juvenile suggests a silly, teenager-like quality and can also be technical or legal.
petty
Petty means small-minded over trivial things, which is not necessarily the same as acting like a child.

Opposites

maturegrown-upadult

Word family

childishly adverb
in a silly, immature way
childishness noun
silly or immature behavior
child noun
a young person
childlike adjective
innocent and simple, like a child, in a positive way

Commonly confused: childish or childlike?

childish vs childlike

Childlike is positive, meaning innocent and full of wonder, while childish is critical, meaning silly and immature.

Practice

Which word would a speaker use to praise an adult's innocent sense of wonder?

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “childish”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words