[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/childishly/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [C](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/c/) / childishly

# childishly

adverb (childishly; more childishly)

«childishly» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. In a silly, immature way that is not right for someone's age (said of older children and adults, usually as criticism). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/childishly/#m1)
2. In a way like a child, simply and innocently (childishly happy). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/childishly/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories it criticises a grown-up or older child who sulks, stamps or throws a tantrum. Sometimes it is kind, describing simple joy. It tells the reader someone is acting younger than they are. Similar: «immaturely»; opposite «maturely».

### Examples

- The two men argued childishly over a parking space. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/childishly/#x1)
- He childishly refused to share the remote. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/childishly/#x2)
- She stamped her foot childishly and stormed off. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/childishly/#x3)
- Grandad laughed childishly at his own joke. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/childishly/#x4)
- Stop behaving so childishly; you're twelve! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/childishly/#x5)
- They were childishly excited about the snow. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/childishly/#x6)

### Note

Adverb from «childish». Trap: «childish» is usually negative (silly, immature), while «childlike» is positive (innocent, full of wonder). «Childlike wonder» is praise; «childish behaviour» is criticism.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «childishly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/childishly/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«childishly» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/childishly.html) on Mova free.