childlike

[ chahyld-lahyk ]

adjective

1. like a child, as in innocence, frankness, etc.; befitting a child:

   childlike trust.

   Synonyms: innocent, trusting, guileless, simple, ingenuous, young

   Antonyms: adult, sophisticated

childlike

/ ˈtʃaɪldˌlaɪk /

adjective

1. like or befitting a child, as in being innocent, trustful, etc Compare childish

Other Words From

• childlikeness noun
• un·childlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of childlike¹

First recorded in 1580–90; child + -like

Synonym Study

See childish.

Example Sentences

“It contrasts so well with his exterior of being this great warrior and pillaging and killing and doing all that. But on the inside, he’s quite soft and cuddly and quite childlike.”

From Los Angeles Times

She envisions some childlike life where there might be a happy middle ground, one where fairytales can exist and she can be the subject of them.

From Salon

When Garfield speaks about joy, the memories that rise to the surface also offer a childlike vision of domestic bliss: visiting Disneyland with his family, playing basketball, sledding at Christmastime, his mother’s cooking.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, Neville does manage to bring his profile — including its childlike style — around to an idea that resonates.

From Los Angeles Times

The underlying assumption is that Black people as a group are stupid, dumb, unintelligent, inherently childlike and primitive, possess “bad culture” and in other ways are inferior to white people.

From Salon

Related Words

• childish
• guileless