infantile
UK: ˈɪnfəntaɪl | US: ˈɪnfənˌtaɪl
adj. characteristic of or resembling an infant; childish or immature
adj. relating to infancy or infants
infantile = infant<child> + ile<adjective suffix>
- infant (from Latin infans < in- "not" + fari "to speak") → originally meant "unable to speak," referring to young children.
- ile (Latin-derived suffix) → forms adjectives meaning "pertaining to" or "capable of."
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin infantilis, combining infans (a child too young to speak) with the suffix -ilis (indicating relation). Over time, infantile evolved to describe behaviors or traits reminiscent of infancy, often carrying a connotation of immaturity. The logic reflects how speechlessness (literal in infants) metaphorically extends to emotional or intellectual underdevelopment.
His infantile tantrums made it hard to take him seriously.
The cartoon’s humor was deliberately infantile to appeal to young children.
She criticized the politician’s infantile response to the crisis.
The disease causes infantile paralysis in rare cases.
Despite his age, he retained an infantile curiosity about the world.