Childlike Meaning
/ˈt͡ʃaɪldlaɪk/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjInnocent and trustful; credulous; artless.
adjOf, like, or suitable for a child.
Sentence Examples
His childlike laugh is charming.
I couldn't help smiling at her childlike frankness.
He retained a childlike sense of wonder.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ wonder at the simple butterfly made us all smile warmly.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She still has a ____ wonder for the world around her even today city.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English child Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-West Germanic *-līk Old English -līċ Middle English -like English -like English childlike From child + -like.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"According to the prevailing Danish rationale, Greenlanders were naïve and childlike, in need of protection and incapable of governing themselves."
— 2019 August 22, Matthew H. Birkhold, “A Brief History of the Indignities Heaped Upon Greenland”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 16 Jul 2020:
"Even Mario is given childlike mannerisms – running open-armed like a fearless toddler, whooping with delight – to convey playful innocence."
— 2019 May 8, Jon Bailes, “Save yourself! The video games casting us as helpless children”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 09 Apr 2023:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ wonder at the simple butterfly made us all smile warmly.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She still has a ____ wonder for the world around her even today city.