infantile

USAGE SUMMARY

'infantile' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is immature or childish in an adult. For example, "Sharon's behavior was so infantile; it was embarrassing to watch her in public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We revert to infantile behaviour and hide our heads under metaphorical blankets.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They face a reviving opposition, and a revolt from within the ruling Peronist party (see article).The infantile solipsism that leads a government to fiddle the economic figures has been the handmaiden of decline.

The Economist

He acknowledges his party would be considered "infantile" by voters if it blocks a bill for self-interested ends.

The Economist

Another is that the main contestants already face each other every week in Parliament at prime minister's questions (which is usually rowdy and infantile).Mr Brown's stance is part of a broader reticence to engage with the public that helps to explain why his ratings have sunk so low.

The Economist

Many babies died of infantile tetanus, caused by treating the umbilical stump with prized but infected fulmar oil.

The Economist

The infantile and lewd insults routinely exchanged on the pitch were luridly aired in court.

The Economist

Asthma and other allergies are thought by many experts to be rising in frequency because infantile immune systems, unchallenged by infection, are turning against the cells of the body they are supposed to protect.

The Economist

This was not the first such "coming of age" at which the aliens had assisted they had supervised many others across the galaxy but they were still puzzled at the miracle of desubstantiation in which they themselves could never partake.In this section Infantile men But what do they mean?

The Economist

Pedro Ramirez, the editor of El Mundo, a newspaper that has often teamed up with Mr Garzon, calls him "infantile in his megalomania", but also acknowledges his "indisputable record in serving the rule of law".

The Economist

Indeed, there is something infantile in the belief of the constitution-worshippers that the complex political arguments of today can be settled by simple fidelity to a document written in the 18th century.

The Economist

Its director is Huang Jianxin, who has been successfully poking fun at Chinese bureaucracy ever since his first film, "The Black Cannon Incident", more than ten years ago.In this section Infantile men But what do they mean?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "infantile" to describe behaviors or conditions that are characteristic of infants or that are inappropriately immature for adults.

Common error

Avoid using "infantile" when you simply mean "relating to infants". "Infantile" often carries a connotation of immaturity or inappropriateness, while "infant" is a neutral descriptor.

Linguistic Context

The word "infantile" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something related to infants or, more commonly, to characterize behavior or qualities as immature or childish. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "infantile" is commonly used as an adjective with two main senses: relating to infants or describing something as immature. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common use in writing. It appears frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts. While grammatically correct, it's important to distinguish between its literal and figurative meanings. When describing behavior, "infantile" implies a lack of maturity appropriate for one's age. Alternative words include "childish", "immature", and "puerile". The most common mistake is confusing "infantile" with simply "infant".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

childish

Refers to behavior or characteristics similar to a child, often implying immaturity.

immature

Indicates a lack of emotional or intellectual development expected for a particular age.

puerile

Suggests childishness, often in a silly or trivial way.

juvenile

Relates to youth or young people, sometimes implying a lack of seriousness.

babyish

Describes behavior that is excessively like a baby, often negative.

callow

Means inexperienced and immature, often lacking sophistication.

undeveloped

Indicates a lack of complete growth or maturity.

early-stage

Refers to the initial phases of development.

nascent

Describes something just coming into existence and showing signs of future potential.

rudimentary

Represents a basic or undeveloped form.

FAQs

How is "infantile" used in a sentence?

You can use "infantile" to describe something related to infants, such as "infantile hemangioma". Alternatively, it describes behavior that is immature in an adult, as in "His behavior at the meeting was "childish" and infantile".

What words can replace "infantile"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "childish", "immature", or "puerile" when referring to behavior. If referring to infants, "neonatal" or "pediatric" might be suitable.

Is it better to say "infantile behavior" or "childish behavior"?

Both "infantile behavior" and "childish behavior" are acceptable. "Infantile" may imply a more extreme regression to an infant-like state, while "childish" suggests a general lack of maturity.

What is the difference between "infantile" and "infant"?

"Infant" is a noun referring to a very young child. "Infantile" is an adjective that can mean "relating to infants" or "displaying immaturity". For example, you might talk about "infant care" or "infantile behavior".