childish

adjective

child·​ish ˈchī(-ə)l-dish 

1

: of, relating to, or suitable for a child or childhood

She didn't like dolls, fairy tales were childish, and one couldn't draw all the time.

—Louisa May Alcott

… heard childish voices and laughter afar up the lane …

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

2

a

: marked by or suggestive of immaturity and lack of poise

a childish prank

behavior that was petty and childish

b

: lacking complexity : simple

It's a childish device, but it works.

c

: exhibiting a decline of cognitive abilities (such as memory) associated with old age

He did not like to lose his temper with his parents. … They were both getting childish and needed care and yet they resented any loss of authority.

—Pearl Buck

childishly adverb

behaving childishly

The concept is almost childishly simple.

—Business Week

childishness noun

… the childishness of the script overshadows a marvelous performance by Dolly Parton …

—People Weekly

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

Objects are often askew and out of frame, and everyday sounds like a toilet flush or blinds being pulled assume a low, staticky growl, as though frights fueled by childish imagination. —Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025

Speaking of childish fun, coloring is one thing, but sometimes parents have to set screen time rules and stick by them. —Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 3 Jan. 2025

But the fanbases of those games are not buying it, and have undergone a campaign to embarrass Musk as much as possible about his claims, dragging him into childish internet fights. —Paul Tassi, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025

Editor’s picks Bad Bunny can’t help but revel in the childish joy of being back home, and the euphoric title track sums this feeling up. —Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 6 Jan. 2025

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