Puérile (en. Childish)

/py.e.ʁil/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
adjective
Characterized by childish behavior.
His puerile attitude prevents him from being respected.
Son attitude puérile ne lui permet pas de se faire respecter.
Related to childhood.
He reads puerile books that do not educate him.
Il lit des livres puériles qui ne l'instruisent pas.
Lacking seriousness, maturity.
The arguments were so puerile that we laughed about them.
Les disputes étaient tellement puériles qu'on en riait.

Etymology

From the Latin 'puerilis', meaning 'of a child'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to act in a puerile manner
To behave in an immature way.
agir de manière puérile
puerile reactions
Reactions that lack maturity.
réactions puériles
puerile humor
Humor that is superficial and childish.
humour puérile

Related Words

puericulture
The art of taking care of young children.
puericulture
puer
Child, boy.
puer

Slang Meanings

An excessive and immature attitude.
Focusing on these details is really puerile.
S'arrêter à ces détails, c'est vraiment puérile.
To behave like a child.
Stop being puerile and act like an adult.
Arrête de faire le puérile et agis comme un adulte.