infantilism

noun

in·​fan·​til·​ism in-ˈfan-tə-ˌli-zəm  ˈin-fən-tə-ˌli-  -fən-ˌtī-ˌli- 

1

: retention of childish physical, mental, or emotional qualities in adult life

especially : failure to attain sexual maturity

2

: an act or expression that indicates lack of maturity

Examples of infantilism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This would have caused Beijing’s infantilism to become a national embarrassment — a weak nation’s idea of national strength. —George Will, National Review, 17 Oct. 2019

From a super crushing a man’s skull as she orgasms to another super’s paraphilic infantilism fetish, Kripke uses extreme moments to build the story. —Shana O'Neil, The Verge, 24 July 2019

Contemporary cinematographic literature is the result of progressive infantilism of content and the narrowing of perspective. —Isabel Coixet, Harper's BAZAAR, 28 June 2016

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

infantilism

noun

in·​fan·​til·​ism ˈin-fən-ˌtīl-ˌiz-əm 

-tə-ˌliz-;

in-ˈfan-tᵊl-ˌiz-

: childish qualities or behavior in an adult

Medical Definition

infantilism

noun

in·​fan·​til·​ism ˈin-fən-ˌtīl-ˌiz-əm  -tə-ˌliz-; in-ˈfan-tᵊl-ˌiz- 

: retention of childish physical, mental, or emotional qualities in adult life

especially : failure to attain sexual maturity