childish
adjective
child·ish ˈchī(-ə)l-dish 
1
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
Pearl Buck
childishly adverb
behaving childishly
The concept is almost childishly simple. —Business Week
Business Week
childishness noun
… the childishness of the script overshadows a marvelous performance by Dolly Parton … —People Weekly
People Weekly
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
That’s as childish an expression as the show ever shares. —Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026 The use of childish internet and video-game memes to describe violence is coarse and unworthy of the men and women who go in harm’s way. —Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026 However, this is a childish fantasy. —Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026 The more childish and unrefined, the better. —Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for childish
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026 The use of childish internet and video-game memes to describe violence is coarse and unworthy of the men and women who go in harm’s way. —Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026 However, this is a childish fantasy. —Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026 The more childish and unrefined, the better. —Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for childish
Cite this Entry
“Childish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/childish. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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