Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

childlike

/ˈt͡ʃaɪldlaɪk/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.94 in modern English

Syllables: child-like
IPA: /ˈt͡ʃaɪldlaɪk/

19

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Innocent and trustful; credulous; artless.

adj

Of, like, or suitable for a child.

Example Sentences

"According to the prevailing Danish rationale, Greenlanders were naïve and childlike, in need of protection and incapable of governing themselves."
"Even Mario is given childlike mannerisms – running open-armed like a fearless toddler, whooping with delight – to convey playful innocence."

Etymology

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.

Inflected Forms

more childlike (comparative) most childlike (superlative)

Derived Forms

childlikeness nonchildlike unchildlike

Frequently Paired Words

childish naive young

Synonyms

credulous unworldly artless callow childlike verdant clueless dewy-eyed cute fleeceable foppotee green

Antonyms

adultlike grown up unchildlike nonchildlike

Questions

How do you pronounce childlike?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈt͡ʃaɪldlaɪk/.
What does childlike mean?: Innocent and trustful; credulous; artless.
Where does childlike come from?: 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.

How to pronounce childlike

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “childlike”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈt͡ʃaɪldlaɪk/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “childlike”.
Repeat and practice — Say “childlike” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.