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childish
4 dictionary results for: childish
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
child·ish       [chahyl-dish] Pronunciation Key
–adjective
1.of, like, or befitting a child: childish games.
2.puerile; weak; silly: childish fears.
[Origin: bef. 1000; ME childisch, OE cildisc. See child, -ish1]

—Related forms
child·ish·ly, adverb
child·ish·ness, noun

—Synonyms Childish, infantile, childlike refer to characteristics or qualities of childhood. The ending -ish often has unfavorable connotations; childish therefore refers to characteristics that are undesirable and unpleasant: childish selfishness, outbursts of temper. Infantile, originally a general word, now often carries an even stronger idea of disapproval or scorn than does childish: infantile reasoning, behavior. The ending -like has pleasing or neutral connotations; childlike therefore refers to the characteristics that are desirable and admirable: childlike innocence, trust.
—Antonyms mature, adult.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
child·ish       (chīl'dĭsh)  Pronunciation Key 
adj.  
  1. Of, relating to, or suitable for a child or childhood: a high, childish voice; childish nightmares.
    1. Marked by or indicating a lack of maturity; puerile: tired of your childish pranks.
    2. Not complicated; simple.
    3. Affected mentally by old age; senile.

child'ish·ly adv., child'ish·ness n.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
childish

adjective
indicating a lack of maturity; "childish tantrums"; "infantile behavior" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Childish

Child"ish\, a. 1. Of, pertaining to, befitting, or resembling, a child. "Childish innocence." --Macaulay.

2. Puerile; trifling; weak.

Methinks that simplicity in her countenance is rather childish than innocent. --Addison.

Note: Childish, as applied to persons who are grown up, is in a disparaging sense; as, a childish temper.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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