man-child: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, often pejorative/derogatory
Quick answer
What does “man-child” mean?
An adult man who is socially, emotionally, or behaviorally immature.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An adult man who is socially, emotionally, or behaviorally immature; a grown man who displays childish traits.
A term used to criticize a man who fails to take on adult responsibilities, often prioritizing personal pleasure, hobbies, or comfort over mature obligations like partnership, household management, or emotional labour. The term implies a lack of psychological development despite chronological age.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is widely used and understood in both varieties. No significant lexical differences, though related cultural stereotypes (e.g., specific hobbies or behaviours) may vary slightly.
Connotations
Equally pejorative in both varieties. Possibly more frequent in American media discourse about relationships.
Frequency
Similar frequency in informal spoken and written media (lifestyle articles, pop psychology).
Grammar
How to Use “man-child” in a Sentence
He is a {adjective} man-child.Stop being such a man-child!She's tired of dating man-children.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “man-child” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's man-childing about, playing video games while the washing-up piles up.
- Stop man-childing and help with the childcare!
American English
- He man-childed his way through the weekend, ignoring all his chores.
- Quit man-childing and take some responsibility.
adverb
British English
- He reacted man-childishly to the criticism.
- He spent the day man-childishly avoiding his tasks.
American English
- He pouted man-childishly when he didn't get his way.
- He plays video games man-childishly for hours.
adjective
British English
- His man-child tendencies are putting a strain on their marriage.
- It was a man-child approach to budgeting.
American English
- She's done with his man-child behavior.
- He has a very man-child attitude toward cleaning.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically to describe unprofessional, irresponsible behaviour.
Academic
Rare in formal work. May appear in sociology, cultural studies, or psychology papers on adulthood and gender.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation, especially in discussions about relationships, roommates, or family.
Technical
Not a clinical term, but understood in pop psychology and self-help contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “man-child”
- Writing as one word 'manchild' (common but hyphenated is standard).
- Using it for a male who is simply enthusiastic or playful without the negative element of irresponsibility.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the term is gender-specific. The equivalent for a woman is often 'woman-child' or simply 'immature woman', though it carries different cultural connotations and is less commonly used.
Almost always. While it can be used in a gently teasing or affectionate way in very specific contexts (e.g., describing a fictional character), its core usage is pejorative, implying criticism of failed adulthood.
A person 'young at heart' retains positivity and wonder without shirking responsibility. A 'man-child' specifically avoids adult responsibilities (financial, domestic, emotional) while indulging in childish pleasures.
It is a common informal variant, especially online. However, in edited writing and for dictionary purposes, the hyphenated form 'man-child' is considered standard.
An adult man who is socially, emotionally, or behaviorally immature.
Man-child is usually informal, often pejorative/derogatory in register.
Man-child: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmæn ˌtʃaɪld/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmæn ˌtʃaɪld/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's 40 going on 14.”
- “All the toys, none of the responsibility.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MAN in a business suit playing with a CHILD's toy train instead of working. The hyphen connects his adult form to his childish behaviour.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADULTHOOD IS RESPONSIBILITY / IMMATURITY IS CHILDHOOD. The adult male is metaphorically mapped onto the domain of childhood, highlighting a failure to transition conceptual domains.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'man-child' MOST appropriately used?