Childlike vs Childlish – What’s the difference?

What is the difference between “childish” and “childlike?” Both words have their roots in children, but they’re not synonyms. This article will explain how to use each word correctly in your writing.

Childlike is a noun.

Childlike is a noun. It describes something that is characteristic of a child (a person who has not reached puberty). Examples:

Childish, on the other hand, can be used as either an adjective or an adverb and means “childish”–for example “he behaved in a childish manner”. In this usage it is almost always used to describe someone’s behavior or attitude rather than their appearance. However if you want to say that someone looks like they’re still young enough to be considered a child then you could say something like “She was very cute with her long blonde hair and wide eyes; she looked very much like a little girl.”

Childish is usually a noun.

Childish is usually a noun, but it can be used as an adjective or adverb in some contexts. It’s also a type of childlike.

Childlike, on the other hand, is used as both an adjective and noun.

Childlike can be used as an adjective or an adverb in some contexts.

Childish, on the other hand, can only be used as an adjective.

Childlike is a word that describes something that is like a child. It can be used to describe someone who has a childlike attitude or behavior, or anything else that resembles childhood in some way. For example:

• “The way he plays with his toys is so childish.” – This means that his playtime is similar to how children play (with no consideration for what’s appropriate). The speaker may also mean that this person doesn’t act like an adult should act when playing with toys (e.g., by throwing them across the room).
• “She acts very mature for her age but at heart she remains very much like any other girl her age.” – This sentence shows how one woman doesn’t always feel like herself when around people she knows well; instead of behaving herself she becomes more playful and less mature than usual because she wants them all around her all day long!

Childish has many meanings and uses, but it’s almost always used as an adjective.

• As a noun, childish means “the quality of being childish”. So if you say “that was very childlike,” then you’re talking about someone or something that behaved in a way that was characteristic of a young person–for example: “His behavior was so childish!” or “You’re such an immature little boy!”
• As an adjective, childish means “having the qualities associated with childhood”, which can include both positive (curious) and negative (immature) aspects of childhood–for example: “Your attitude is so childish!” or “It’s not appropriate for someone your age to act so immaturely.”

If you’re talking about someone who behaves like a child, use childish.

• If you’re talking about someone who behaves like a child, use childish.
• If you’re talking about someone who is immature, use childish.
• If you’re talking about something that’s typical of someone who is young (and not necessarily immature), use childlike.

If you’re talking about someone who’s immature, use childish.

If you want to describe something that is characteristic of a child, use childish. For example: “She had a childlike sense of wonder.”

If you want to describe an actual child, use childish instead–it’s an adjective that describes the way kids act or think (and not always in a good way). You can also use this word as an adverb if you want to say something like “he acted very much like a typical 5-year-old boy.”

If you’re talking about something that’s typical of someone who is young (and not necessarily immature), use childlike.

If you’re talking about something that’s typical of someone who is young (and not necessarily immature), use childlike.

• Childlike qualities can be found in adults. For example, a childlike quality might be the way an adult looks up at the stars with wonder and awe. This isn’t necessarily childish behavior–it could just as easily be seen on an adult at the zoo or nature center, looking at animals he or she has never seen before with amazement and excitement.
• Childishness refers specifically to behavior that would be expected from children but not adults–for instance: throwing temper tantrums when things don’t go your way; playing games where you win if someone else loses; wanting everything your own way all the time without considering other people’s needs; being jealous of other people who have more than you do…and so forth!

The word childish means immature, so don’t confuse it with childlike when describing people or things in your writing!

Now that you know the difference between childish and childlike, you can use these words correctly in your writing.

• Childish means immature, so don’t confuse it with childlike when describing people or things in your writing!
• The word childish is often used to refer to someone who behaves like a child.
• Childlike can be used to describe someone who is young, but not necessarily immature: “She had the face of an angel–so young and innocent.”

Remember, childish means immature and childlike means young-looking. The two words are not interchangeable! If you want to describe someone’s behavior as childish or immature, use the former term. If you want to describe something as looking young or innocent, use the latter word instead.