Master confusing words with ease
Childish vs. Childlike
Childish
/ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ/Examples:
Her tantrum over the broken toy was truly childish.He displayed childish enthusiasm for the amusement park trip.Debating over trivial matters felt quite childish to many.
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Antonyms:
Childlike
/ˈtʃaɪldlaɪk/Examples:
Her childlike curiosity was infectiousHe approached the new task with a childlike enthusiasmThe child's childlike laughter filled the room
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Childish generally carries a negative connotation, while childlike tends to have a positive or neutral connotation.
- Remember that childish relates to lack of maturity, while childlike often relates to positive innocence or simplicity.
- If you wouldnt appreciate the behavior in an adult, its likely described by childish.
- Think of childlike as qualities you'd admire in a child, such as wonder or curiosity.
- Both words begin with child, but its ending - ish or like - gives each word its unique twist.
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