childness: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowLiterary, Archaic, Formal/Poetic
Quick answer
What does “childness” mean?
The state or quality of being a child.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state or quality of being a child; childhood.
Childlike qualities, especially innocence, playfulness, or simplicity. Sometimes used archaically to refer to childishness or immature behaviour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Effectively no difference. The word is equally archaic and rare in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, the word carries a formal, somewhat antiquated, and possibly pretentious tone when used in modern prose. It may be used deliberately in poetry or stylised writing.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary spoken or written language in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “childness” in a Sentence
the [adjective] childness of [noun]to lose one's childnessa sense of childnessVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “childness” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb forms for 'childness']
American English
- [No verb forms for 'childness']
adverb
British English
- [No adverb forms for 'childness']
American English
- [No adverb forms for 'childness']
adjective
British English
- [No adjective forms for 'childness'. The related adjective is 'childlike' or 'childish']
American English
- [No adjective forms for 'childness'. The related adjective is 'childlike' or 'childish']
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Extremely rare; might appear in historical literary criticism or studies of older texts.
Everyday
Not used. Would sound strange or overly formal.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “childness”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “childness”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “childness”
- Using it in casual conversation. Confusing it with 'childishness' (which has a negative connotation).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is considered archaic or literary. You will find it in comprehensive dictionaries, but it is rarely used in modern everyday language.
'Childness' generally refers to the state or positive qualities of being a child (like innocence). 'Childishness' almost always refers to the negative, immature behaviour associated with children.
It is not recommended. Using such a rare, archaic word might seem forced or show a lack of familiarity with modern vocabulary. It is safer to use 'childhood', 'innocence', or 'childlike quality'.
No, 'childness' is an uncountable (mass) noun, similar to 'happiness' or 'darkness'. You cannot have 'childnesses'.
The state or quality of being a child.
Childness is usually literary, archaic, formal/poetic in register.
Childness: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃaɪldnəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃaɪldnəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms for this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHILD' + the state-of-being suffix '-NESS' = the state of being a child.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHILDNESS IS A POSSESSION (to lose/regain one's childness); CHILDNESS IS A SUBSTANCE (the pure childness within).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'childness' be MOST appropriate?