childish looking

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "childish looking" can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an appearance that suggests a childlike quality. For example: She had a childish looking face, with big blue eyes and full cheeks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

— The letters that began arriving at a woman's childhood home in Bridgeport, Conn., in May 2006 were as macabre as they were childish looking.

The New York Times

[De Boer-Buquicchio] meant sexualised depictions of childish looking characters in manga and anime.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Brandon is the baby of the group, roundly teased for his childish looks and long curly hair.

The New Yorker

Being a Mario title, you expect garishly colourful graphics, but the childish look masks a surprisingly subtle and tactical game, which, despite its flaws, adults are likely to enjoy as much as their offspring.

The Guardian - Tech

Mrs. Pinchwife was Elizabeth Boutell or Bowtel, a young actress who had "a childish look.

Wikipedia

"The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" used a spoof scrapbook to take a childish look back at President Donald Trump's first year in office.

Huffington Post

Follow Hayley on Twitter.

Vice

Anything will look good just don't overdo it except if you want that childish look.

WikiHow

Even though the flaws of Kinect will be front and center (no pedals? laggy steering?), the wonder of seeing your gloved hands steering the actual car, and the childish joy looking around a virtual world with your real head will prove a serious draw.

TechCrunch

Ferrell subsequently taunted Smith several times, in one moment asking in a childish voice, "Looks like baby learned how to play the drums!" and later responded to one of Smith's solos by saying, "That was cute.

Los Angeles Times

Viviana, a quiet, thin, and childish-looking sixteen-year-old with long dark hair and big Mexican eyes, was last seen by her classmates an hour and a half later as they left her at a bus stop near the park.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "childish looking", consider the context and whether a more nuanced term like "youthful" or "innocent" might be more appropriate. "Childish" can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying immaturity or lack of sophistication.

Common error

Avoid using "childish looking" in professional or academic writing unless you're specifically discussing the appearance of a character or subject. In these situations, more formal alternatives like "youthful appearance" or "immature features" may be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "childish looking" functions primarily as a compound adjective. It modifies a noun to describe something or someone having an appearance that resembles a child. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the term is indeed appropriate for written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "childish looking" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to describe an appearance reminiscent of a child. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English, its use can be influenced by context, with more formal settings sometimes favoring alternatives like "youthful" or "immature". Its communicative purpose is to describe physical characteristics and it appears more frequently in news, media and general writing. When considering using the phrase, remember that while it can accurately depict certain features, it could also imply immaturity, so choose your words carefully.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

childlike appearance

Focuses on the overall impression rather than specific features, suggesting a general resemblance to a child.

youthful looking

Emphasizes a young and fresh appearance, less directly tied to immaturity.

immature appearance

Highlights a lack of maturity in one's looks.

juvenile appearance

Similar to "immature appearance", but might suggest a more negative connotation.

boyish features

Specifically refers to features associated with boys, applicable mainly to males.

girlish features

Specifically refers to features associated with girls, applicable mainly to females.

baby-faced

Highlights a round face with soft features, resembling a baby.

prepubescent

Describes an appearance before puberty, often implying a lack of sexual maturity.

artless looking

Focuses on innocence and lack of sophistication in appearance.

naïve looking

Indicates a simple and unsophisticated appearance, implying a lack of experience.

FAQs

What does it mean to describe someone as "childish looking"?

Describing someone as "childish looking" means that their appearance is reminiscent of a child. This might be due to their facial features, mannerisms, or overall demeanor.

What are some synonyms for "childish looking"?

Alternatives to "childish looking" include "childlike appearance", "youthful looking", or "immature appearance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe an adult as "childish looking"?

While grammatically correct, describing an adult as "childish looking" can be subjective and potentially negative. It's important to consider the context and the individual's feelings before using this term.

How can I use "childish looking" in a sentence?

You might say, "The doll had a "childish looking" face" or "Despite his age, he retained a "childish looking" innocence in his eyes."