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Babyish Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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babyish

[ˈbeɪbiɪʃ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

in a childlike manner

Behaving in a manner characteristic of a baby or very young child; infantile or immature.

Synonyms

childish, immature, infantile.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
babyish

Best used to describe behavior that is like that of a very young child, often with an affectionate tone.

  • His enthusiasm for bubbles is so babyish and cute
childish

Typically used to describe actions or behavior that are inappropriate or silly for an adult, often implying immaturity or lack of sophistication.

  • Stop being so childish and help clean up
infantile

Usually used in a negative sense to describe extremely immature behavior that resembles that of an infant.

  • Her infantile tantrum embarrassed everyone at the dinner party
immature

Used to describe someone who does not act their age or lacks emotional development, often in a critical or negative sense.

  • His immature comments disrupted the meeting

Examples of usage

  • She still had a babyish face, even in her twenties.
  • His babyish behavior was starting to annoy his friends.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • In psychological terms, babyish behavior can indicate a lack of coping mechanisms or emotional regulation in adults.
  • Childish behaviors in adults, often referred to as 'regression,' occur when faced with stress or overwhelming situations.
  • Using babyish traits can sometimes help people receive attention or comfort from others, showing a desire for nurturing.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters exhibiting babyish traits often serve as comic relief, such as a grumpy adult throwing a tantrum.
  • The term is often used in memes and social media to describe overly dramatic reactions to minor issues.
  • Television shows sometimes feature babyish adults, highlighting the contrast between their silliness and more responsible peers.

Literature

  • In children's literature, characters may display babyish behaviors to teach lessons about growing up and responsibility.
  • Classic tales often feature adults acting babyish to demonstrate the importance of maturity, such as in 'Peter Pan' where characters resist growing older.
  • Through satire, some authors critique society's babyish behaviors in adults, particularly in works addressing social issues.

Cultural Perspectives

  • Different cultures have varying thresholds for what constitutes babyish behavior in adults, often influenced by social norms.
  • In some societies, being playful and lighthearted at an older age is celebrated rather than criticized, challenging the notion of being too babyish.
  • Certain parenting styles encourage playful behaviors in adults, which can be seen as a rejection of traditional maturity expectations.

Origin of 'babyish'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'babyish' combines 'baby' with the suffix '-ish', meaning 'like' or 'having the characteristics of'.
  • It originated in the early 20th century, reflecting societal perceptions of maturity and childish behaviors.
  • The '-ish' suffix is used widely in English to denote similarity or likeness, showing how language can playfully modify meanings.

The word 'babyish' is derived from the noun 'baby', which dates back to the 14th century. The suffix '-ish' is a common English suffix used to form adjectives meaning 'having the qualities of'. Therefore, 'babyish' means 'having the qualities of a baby or very young child'. The word has been used in English literature and everyday language to describe immature or infantile behavior.

See also: baby, babyhood, babysitter.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,573, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.