What does childish mean?
"Childish" is an adjective describing behavior, attitudes, or qualities characteristic of a child. It carries two main senses: a neutral, descriptive one meaning simply "of or like a child," and by far the more common critical one, meaning immature, silly, or petulant in a way unbecoming of an adult. Calling someone's outburst, joke, or grudge "childish" signals disapproval — it suggests they have failed to exercise the restraint and judgment adults are expected to have. The word is formed from "child" plus the suffix "-ish," which here adds a pejorative coloring, distinguishing it from its gentler cousin "childlike," which praises the innocence and wonder of childhood. Writers choose "childish" when they want to rebuke, and "childlike" when they want to charm; keeping the two apart is one of English's small but telling lessons in tone.
Silly and immature; behaving in a way inappropriate for an adult, typically through petulance or lack of self-control.
"Their argument over who should sit in front was pure childish squabbling."
Almost always disapproving in modern usage; contrast with "childlike."
Of, relating to, or appropriate to a child; characteristic of childhood.
"The letter was written in a childish scrawl with uneven, oversized letters."
A neutral, largely literary sense, less common today than the pejorative one.
The same suffix that makes "childish" an insult also gave us "selfish" — but swap in "-like" and suddenly being like a child becomes a compliment.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of childish
"Childish" derives from the Old English noun "cild" ("child, fetus, infant"), combined with the adjectival suffix "-ish" to mean "of or pertaining to a child." The word has existed in English since early Middle English times, with the pejorative sense of "puerile, immature" developing as the neutral sense gradually receded. Its relatives include other "child + suffix" formations such as "childhood," "childlike," and "childless." The suffix "-ish" itself traces back through Old English "-isc" to Proto-Germanic origins.
Related word forms
How childish is actually used
"Childish" is predominantly negative in modern usage and often implies petulance, selfishness, or silliness beyond what one's age warrants. When a positive sense of child-like qualities is intended, "childlike" is preferred. The neutral, descriptive sense ("of childhood") survives mostly in literary or older contexts.
Easily confused with childish
"Childlike" carries positive connotations of innocence, wonder, and openness typical of children, while "childish" is usually negative, implying immaturity and petulance.