From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishchildlikechild‧like /ˈtʃaɪldlaɪk/ adjective EXPERIENCEDhaving qualities that are typical of a child, especially positive qualities such as innocence and eagernesschildlike innocence/simplicity/directness ‘You know I love you, ’ she said with childlike simplicity.childlike delight/wonder/excitement The sight filled her with childlike excitement. Standing, she looked less childlike.
Examples from the Corpus
childlike• Although some of the Mites were as old as fifteen, because they were called Mites, their routines were always childlike.• His face was childlike and flaccid.• The brothers are very childlike and I think that Lewis Carroll is reliving part of his childhood through this chapter.• Sometimes she became childlike and you could see her at eight or seventeen or twenty-five.• Corbett had always liked Prince Edward; he had a roguish air, coupled with an almost childlike innocence.• The wizards designing Macintosh considered it an open invitation to childlike play, and judged that ability among its chief attributes.• Suddenly your grown-up veneer gives way to a childlike sensitivity that causes you to feel-within minutes-wonderful happiness and acute distress.• She has a childlike way of looking at things.childlike innocence/simplicity/directness• Corbett had always liked Prince Edward; he had a roguish air, coupled with an almost childlike innocence.• She speaks with an almost childlike directness that wins over the most sceptical audience. 