childlike

adjective

child·​like ˈchī(-ə)l(d)-ˌlīk 

: resembling, suggesting, or appropriate to a child or childhood

especially : marked by innocence, trust, and ingenuousness

childlike delight

childlikeness noun

Examples of childlike in a Sentence

a grown woman with a childlike face

We gazed at it in childlike wonder.

She took a childlike glee in describing every detail.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even if someone hasn’t picked up a pencil in years, the idea of drawing comes with a childlike comfort, a space where anything can happen and the only limits are the tools in hand and the imagination behind them. —Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026

Kawaii, the Japanese aesthetic that emphasizes cuteness and childlike innocence through charms, characters and colors, is bringing an unserious vibe to technology in the West. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 2 Jan. 2026

There is something childlike about Douglas — or dog-like, as Lucas says. —Rosemary Rossi, Variety, 25 Dec. 2025

In her fifth collaboration with filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone is light-years away from their childlike Poor Things creation. —Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for childlike

• alike
• belike
• birdlike
• catlike
• christlike
• deathlike
• dislike
• dreamlike
• friedreich
• godlike
• hairlike
• homelike

Kids Definition

childlike

adjective

child·​like ˈchīl(d)-ˌlīk 

1

: resembling, suggesting, or suitable to a child or childhood

2

: showing the more pleasing qualities (as innocence or trustfulness) often thought to be those of children

childlike delight