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

For them, the love of art is a mission, at once sophisticated and childlike. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 June 2026

Adèle still has a youthful figure, and Ilyas a childlike beauty. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026

The acting challenge is being fully committed every night to a childlike state of play. — Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 26 June 2026

And that childlike joy led Jim to some of his best ideas. — Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 21 June 2026

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