Infantile Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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infantile

[ˈɪnfənˌtaɪl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

behavior

Characteristic of or appropriate to infants or very young children.

Synonyms

childish, immature, juvenile.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
infantile	Typically used to describe very immature behavior, often resembling that of an infant. This word can carry a negative connotation. The CEO's infantile outburst shocked everyone in the meeting Making such infantile jokes at your age is unacceptable
childish	Use to describe behavior or actions that are silly or lacking maturity, often in a critical way. Stop being so childish and take responsibility for your actions Her childish laughter filled the room
immature	Refers to someone who behaves in a way that is not appropriate for their age, implying a lack of emotional or intellectual development. His immature comments embarrassed everyone in the room She was too immature to handle the responsibilities of the job
juvenile	Can describe both youthful characteristics and immaturity. Often used in legal contexts or to describe someone under the age of 18. His juvenile sense of humor was not appreciated by his colleagues The juvenile court handles cases involving minors

Examples of usage

Her infantile behavior was starting to annoy her friends.
He still had some infantile habits that he couldn't shake off.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

development

Relating to or characteristic of an infant or infancy.

Synonyms

babyish, childlike, toddler.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
infantile	Used often to describe behavior or actions that are very immature, especially in adults, and often has a negative connotation. His jokes were so infantile that no one laughed Her infantile attitude made it difficult to work with her
babyish	Commonly used to describe behavior or things that resemble or are appropriate for a baby, often with a light negative connotation but sometimes used affectionately. Stop being so babyish and eat your vegetables The babyish giggles of the toddlers filled the room
childlike	Usually used in a positive way to describe qualities or actions that are innocent, simple, and pure, reminiscent of how a child would behave. Her childlike wonder made everyone smile He approached the task with a childlike curiosity
toddler	Specifically refers to a young child who is just starting to walk, usually between the ages of 1 to 3 years. The term is often neutral and factual. The toddler stumbled as he took his first steps She read a story to a group of toddlers at the library

Examples of usage

The infantile stage of development is crucial for forming attachments.
The doctor explained that the illness was common in the infantile population.

Translations

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

Origin of 'infantile'

The word 'infantile' originated in the late 16th century from the Latin word 'infantilis', which means 'pertaining to an infant'. It has been used in English to describe characteristics or behaviors that resemble those of infants or very young children.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,530, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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13527 biologically
13528 clarifying
13529 averted
13530 infantile
13531 withered
13532 dimly
13533 inventors
...