# childish

/ˈtʃaɪɫdɪʃ/ (US) · /tʃˈaɪldɪʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/childish
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. immature

adjective · CEFR B1

acting in a silly or annoying way that is not appropriate for an adult.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. for children

adjective · CEFR B2

suitable for or made for a child.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- His childish behavior during the meeting was very unprofessional.
- It was childish of him to stop speaking to his friend just because they had a small disagreement.
- While some found his enthusiasm charming, others dismissed his refusal to engage with the serious aspects of the proposal as merely childish and obstructive.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.