infantile

adjective

in·​fan·​tile ˈin-fən-ˌtī(-ə)l  -tᵊl  -ˌtēl  -(ˌ)til 

1

: of or relating to infants or infancy

2

: suitable to or characteristic of an infant

especially : very immature

infantile humor

infantility

ˌin-fən-ˈti-lə-tē 

noun

Synonyms

• adolescent
• babyish
• childish
• immature
• jejune
• juvenile
• kiddish
• puerile

Examples of infantile in a Sentence

the infantile humor that teenage boys are justly famous for

Recent Examples on the Web

Though her infantile husband and his family treat Anora as a disposable plaything, Madison gives her a thrilling pugnacity — while at the same time locating the pathos of her emotionally bruising ordeal. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024

When people are being killed and cities and essential civilian infrastructure are being razed, disavowing responsibility is both infantile and amoral. —Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 1 Feb. 2023

As people mature, they’re supposed to leave such infantile behavior behind them. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2024

Anchorman trades the ratings-battle storyline of similar films for a battle of the sexes, pitting an infantile boys’ club against a new hire navigating their sexism with the seasoned poise of someone who’s done this all before. —Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing infantile

• infantile paralysis

Kids Definition

infantile

adjective

in·​fan·​tile ˈin-fən-ˌtīl 

-tᵊl,

-ˌtēl

: of, relating to, or resembling infants or infancy

also : childish

Medical Definition

infantile

adjective

in·​fan·​tile ˈin-fən-ˌtīl  -tᵊl  -ˌtēl  -(ˌ)til 

1

: of, relating to, or occurring in infants or infancy

infantile eczema

2

: suitable to or characteristic of an infant

especially : very immature