What is infantile? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of infantile in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of infantile

infantileadjective

trẻ con

/ˈɪnfəntaɪl//ˈɪnfəntaɪl/

Where does the word infantile come from?

The word "infantile" originates from the Latin word "infantilis," which means "pertaining to an infant." This Latin term is derived from "infans," meaning "not speaking" or "unborn," and the suffix "-ile," which forms an adjective. In English, the word "infantile" was first used in the 15th century to describe something related to or characteristic of an infant, such as infantile behavior or infantile speech. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include connotations of immaturity, childishness, or a lack of maturity. Today, the word "infantile" is often used in psychology and psychiatry to describe behaviors or thought patterns that are characteristic of early childhood, but are also present in adults who may be experiencing developmental disorders or regressive behavior.

Vocabulary summary infantile

typeadjective

meaning(belonging to) children

meaningegg

meaningchildish

Example of vocabulary infantilenamespace

meaning

typical of a small child (and therefore not suitable for adults or older children)

  • infantile jokes
  • Her behavior during the board meeting was surprisingly infantile, as she threw a tantrum when she didn't get her way.
  • In his attempts to avoid responsibility, John's actions were nothing short of infantile.
  • Although he is a successful businessman, James can still be incredibly infantile when it comes to accepting criticism.
  • The way he clings to his security blanket ultimately makes him appear infantile in social situations.
meaning

connected with babies or very young children

Synonyms and related words for infantile

Comment ()