childish

[chahyl-dish] /ˈtʃaɪl dɪʃ/
adjective
1.
of, like, or befitting a child:
childish games.
2.
puerile; weak; silly:
childish fears.
Origin
before 1000; Middle English childisch, Old English cildisc. See child, -ish1
Related forms
childishly, adverb
childishness, noun
overchildish, adjective
overchildishly, adverb
overchildishness, noun
unchildish, adjective
unchildishly, adverb
unchildishness, noun
Can be confused
childish, childlike (see synonym study at the current entry)
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.
Examples from the web for childish
  • Using san to refer to oneself makes one appear childish or incredibly vain.
British Dictionary definitions for childish

childish

/ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ/
adjective
1.
in the manner of, belonging to, or suitable to a child
2.
foolish or petty; puerile: childish fears
Derived Forms
childishly, adverb
childishness, noun
Word Origin and History for childish
adj.

Old English cildisc "proper to a child;" see child + -ish. Meaning "puerile, immature, like a child" in a bad sense is from early 15c. Related: Childishly; childishness.