Word
childish
Phoneticschild·ish, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtʃaɪɫdɪʃ/
UK/tʃˈaɪldɪʃ/
Definitions
01immature
B1 · Intermediate
adj. acting in a silly or annoying way that is not appropriate for an adult.
adj. exhibiting immaturity or lack of emotional control; typically used as a pejorative when applied to adults.
“Stop being so childish and just share the remote with your brother.”
“The manager's childish refusal to acknowledge his mistake during the board meeting damaged his professional reputation beyond repair.”
Pitfall
He has a childish smile.
He has a childlike smile.
Use 'childish' for negative traits like being silly. Use 'childlike' for positive traits like being innocent or happy.
02for children
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. suitable for or made for a child.
adj. pertaining to or characteristic of a child; suitable for a young person's stage of development.
“The book was written in a childish style that was easy for five-year-olds to follow.”
“The handwriting on the envelope was large and childish, suggesting the letter had been penned by a primary school student.”
Antonyms
Confusables
Childish describes immature behavior that is annoying or inappropriate, while childlike describes positive qualities like innocence or wonder.
RememberChildish is bad; childlike is good.
Etymology
From Middle English childisch, from Old English ċildisċ. By surface analysis, child + ish.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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