What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
puerile
Example
His puerile jokes were not appreciated by the serious audience. [puerile: adjective]
Example
The argument was dismissed as puerile and irrelevant to the topic at hand. [puerile: adjective]
childlike
Example
She had a childlike enthusiasm for exploring new places. [childlike: adjective]
Example
The painting captured the childlike joy of playing in the snow. [childlike: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Childlike is more commonly used than puerile in everyday language. Childlike is often used in creative writing, storytelling, or personal narratives to evoke a sense of wonder or nostalgia. Puerile, on the other hand, is more commonly used in academic or formal contexts to criticize or dismiss something as trivial or immature.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between puerile and childlike?
Puerile is typically associated with a formal or academic tone, while childlike is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
