childlike

adjective

child·​like ˈchī(-ə)l(d)-ˌlīk How to pronounce childlike (audio)
Synonyms of childlikenext
: resembling, suggesting, or appropriate to a child or childhood
especially : marked by innocence, trust, and ingenuousness
childlike delight
childlikeness noun

Examples of childlike in a Sentence

a grown woman with a childlike face We gazed at it in childlike wonder. She took a childlike glee in describing every detail.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pops seem to burst all around me, childlike and surreal, bubbles breaking. — Margrét Ann Thors, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026 But the film overflows with childlike wonder, a comic-strip dream of girls next door and nerdy weirdoes growing muscles with puberty. — Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Aug. 2026 With her second album ‘Paracosm’ and a global tour alongside sisters Raye and Amma, the 22-year-old has returned to childlike joy—and therefore, herself. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 30 July 2026 So, in a childlike way, ‘Rowing the Boat’ is all not looking at our differences. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for childlike

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of childlike was in 1577

Rhymes for childlike

See All Rhymes for childlike

Browse Nearby Words

childless
childlike
childly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Childlike.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/childlike. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

childlike

adjective
child·​like ˈchīl(d)-ˌlīk How to pronounce childlike (audio)
1
: resembling, suggesting, or suitable to a child or childhood
2
: showing the more pleasing qualities (as innocence or trustfulness) often thought to be those of children
childlike delight

More from Merriam-Webster on childlike

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for childlike

Nglish: Translation of childlike for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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