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Definition of childish

childish

/ˈtʃaɪl.dɪʃ/
child · ish
Adverb:childishly
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childish Lexical Profile

childish Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Silly, immature, and lacking adult restraint or judgment.

Example

"Refusing to speak to your colleague over a minor disagreement is a rather childish reaction."

2

Of, relating to, or characteristic of a child.

Example

"The letter was written in a large, uneven, childish scrawl."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for childish
Antonyms
View all antonyms for childish

Word Nuance & Usage

When describing adult behavior, "childish" is almost always derogatory, implying silliness or immaturity, whereas "childlike" carries a positive connotation of innocence, trust, and wonder.

• Rhymes for childish

• Nearby Words

childcare
childcarer
childhood
childish
childishly
childishness
childless

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English cildisc, formed from cild ("child") + -isc ("-ish").

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Childish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/childish
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