childish

adjective

child·​ish ˈchī(-ə)l-dish 

1

: of, relating to, or befitting a child or childhood

childish desires for toys

2

a

: marked by or suggestive of immaturity and lack of poise

a childish spiteful remark

b

: lacking complexity : simple

it's a childish device, but it works

c

: deteriorated with age especially in mind : senile

his parents … were both getting childish and needed care

—Pearl Buck

childishly adverb

childishness noun

Synonyms

• adolescent
• babyish
• immature
• infantile
• jejune
• juvenile
• kiddish
• puerile

Examples of childish in a Sentence

She has a childish face.

a letter written in childish scrawl

He opened the gifts with childish delight.

We're tired of their childish games.

I find his humor very childish.

Recent Examples on the Web

Just enjoy this amazing spectacle and stop being childish. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2024

Voters are bored with the cruel and childish rhetorical exchanges between candidates and prefer to hear their ideas and compare their agendas instead. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2024

But there’s also a childish naivety to it: there’s nothing clever about the way James conducted himself in Dominik’s film. —Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2024

The first Presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump Thursday night ended with an exchange with both candidates accusing the other of being childish. —James Powel, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

see child

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

childish

adjective

child·​ish ˈchīl-dish 

1

: of, resembling, or suitable to a child

childish laughter

2

: showing the less pleasing qualities (as silliness) often thought to be those of children

childishly adverb

childishness noun