childishness
/ˈtʃaɪldɪʃnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtʃaɪldɪʃnəs/ (ame, ipa)
childishness — noun
1. the silly or immature way an adult sometimes thinks or acts, like a young child
the silly or immature way an adult sometimes thinks or acts, like a young child who has not yet learned to handle a situation calmly.
Dylan rolled his eyes at the childishness of the two senators shouting over each other.
childishness of + noun phrase, attributing immature behavior to adults
After the divorce, Maeve was tired of her ex-husband's constant childishness over money.
childishness over + topic, naming what triggers the silly behavior
There was a streak of childishness in Samir that came out whenever he lost a board game.
The manager spoke to Eitan about the childishness of slamming doors when meetings ran long.
Niran apologized for his childishness and promised to talk things through next time.
- immaturity
broader and more formal; refers to general lack of emotional development, not a single silly act.
- petulance
more specific — childish sulking or bad temper when things do not go one's way.
- puerility
very formal and bookish; suggests pathetically childish behavior in an adult.
用法筆記
Subject is usually an adult or older child whose behavior the speaker disapproves of; using this noun about a young child sounds odd because childlike behavior is expected of them.
常見錯誤
2. the quality of seeming open, curious, or innocent in a way that reminds people o
the quality of seeming open, curious, or innocent in a way that reminds people of a young child, used in a neutral or positive sense.
There was a sweet childishness in the way Sofia greeted every animal at the petting zoo.
childishness in the way + clause, describing an innocent quality
Critics praised the painter for keeping a sense of childishness in her bright, simple landscapes.
a sense of childishness, neutral or positive framing
Élise loved the wide-eyed childishness her grandfather still showed when he opened presents at Christmas.
The novel celebrates the childishness of a small village where neighbors still trust one another.
- innocence
stronger focus on moral or experiential purity rather than a child-like manner.
- naivety
more about lack of worldly knowledge, sometimes mildly critical.
- childlikeness
rarer; emphasises the positive child-like quality without the negative tone.
- world-weariness
the tired, jaded opposite of a fresh childlike view.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 by context: positive adjectives (sweet, charming, wide-eyed) or comparison to art / innocence signal this sense; complaints about adults signal sense 1.