childish
gb/t͡ʃˈaɪldɪʃ/ us/t͡ʃˈaɪldɪʃ/
B1
English
~ 4700
gyerekes, gyerekeknek való, gyerekbarát
B1
1
gyerekes
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is childish
Stop being so childish and listen to what I’m saying.
Ne légy már ilyen gyerekes, és figyelj arra, amit mondok.
His childish refusal to apologize made the situation worse.
Az, hogy gyerekesen nem volt hajlandó bocsánatot kérni, csak rontott a helyzeten.
She gave him a childish grin after winning the game.
It was childish to argue over something so small.
They teased each other in a childish way.
Learner examples
He is childish when he does not get his way.
Gyerekesen viselkedik, amikor nem az történik, amit ő akar.
She made a childish face at her brother.
Gyerekes grimaszt vágott a fiútestvérének.
It is childish to fight over toys.
My little sister can be childish sometimes.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'childish' with 'childlike'. 'Childish' usually has a negative meaning, while 'childlike' is often positive.
Meaning
Immature or silly like a child
Collocations
childish behavior
|childish attitude
|childish reaction
|childish game
Synonyms
immature (Suggests a lack of emotional or mental development, not just similarity to children.)
|
juvenile (Often used in a critical tone to mean silly or unsuitable for an adult.)
Antonyms
mature (Describes someone who behaves in a responsible and adult way.)
|
grown-up (Informal term for behaving appropriately for an adult.)
Themes
emotions
|personality
|daily life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Acting like a young child in a way that is not grown-up.
Showing behavior, attitudes, or reactions that are typical of a young child, often implying immaturity.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[something] is childish
The movie had a childish plot and bright colors.
A filmnek gyerekes története és élénk színei voltak.
These puzzles are too childish for older kids.
Ezek a feladványok túl gyerekesek a nagyobb gyerekeknek.
The book’s humor was rather childish, aimed at young readers.
Learner examples
This game is childish and easy to play.
Ez a játék gyerekeknek való, és könnyű vele játszani.
The story is childish but fun.
A történet gyerekes, de szórakoztató.
She wore a childish dress with cartoon prints.
Meaning
Made for or related to children
Collocations
childish games
|childish stories
|childish clothing
Synonyms
child-oriented (Focuses on being designed for children rather than describing behavior.)
Antonyms
adult-oriented (Designed for adults rather than children.)
Themes
daily life
|family
|daily_life
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Made for or about children.
Intended for, appropriate to, or characteristic of children.
Grammar
Dictionary form
childish
IPA
GB/t͡ʃˈaɪldɪʃ/
US/t͡ʃˈaɪldɪʃ/
Syllables & stress
child - ish (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (child)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: childish
Word family
Expressions
act childish
1/ˈækt t͡ʃˈaɪldɪʃ/
fixed phrase
informal
Behave immaturely like a child
To behave in a way that is not grown-up, like a child.
Examples
- Stop acting childish and help me clean up.
- They were acting childish during the meeting.
childish tantrum
1/t͡ʃˈaɪldɪʃ tˈæntɹəm/
fixed phrase
Immature angry outburst
An angry reaction by an adult that is like how a small child might act.
Examples
- He threw a childish tantrum when he didn’t get the promotion.
- Her childish tantrum embarrassed everyone at the meeting.
in a childish way
1/ˈɪn ə t͡ʃˈaɪldɪʃ wˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
Behaving like a child
Doing something like a young child would do it.
Examples
- He spoke in a childish way to annoy her.
- She laughed in a childish way when she saw the joke.