Nearby Words

childlike

[chahyld-lahyk] Origin

child·like

[chahyld-lahyk]
adjective
like a child, as in innocence, frankness, etc.; befitting a child: childlike trust.

Origin:
1580–90; child + -like

child·like·ness, noun
un·child·like, adjective

childish, childlike (see synonym note at childish).


young, ingenuous, simple, guileless, trusting, innocent. See childish.


sophisticated, adult.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Childlike is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
Collins
World English Dictionary
childlike (ˈtʃaɪldˌlaɪk)
 
adj
Compare childish like or befitting a child, as in being innocent, trustful, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

childlike
1586, "proper to a child," from child + like. Meaning "like a child" in a good sense (distinguished from childish) is from 1725.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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