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

Here, Matthew’s singing it in a really childlike way. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025

In ancient times, the taltos, who originated in the very north of today's Scotland, tended to be rather clumsy and childlike. —Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Nov. 2025

The film’s stylized, childlike drawings not only reflect Giuseppe’s highly mutable nature, but also his innocence and naiveté as well. —Kambole Campbell, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025

Each one also contains an assortment of high-end trinkets to open daily in the lead-up to December 25, helping your giftees tap into childlike whimsy for the holiday season. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 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