3 syllables: in, fan, tile. Stress on in.
IN-fuhn-til
/ˈɪnfəntɪl/
infantile is pronounced IN-fuhn-til (/ˈɪnfəntɪl/). It has three syllables (in-fan-tile), with the stress on "in". Infantile describes something related to or suitable for infants; in medical or psychological contexts it often refers to an immature or childish quality or development. The term can be used neutrally to describe stages in growth, or pejoratively to critique behavior or characteristics that resemble infancy. In clinical discourse, it may denote developmental delays or traits observed in early life stages, typically used as an adjective rather than a noun.
Infantile describes something related to or suitable for infants; in medical or psychological contexts it often refers to an immature or childish quality or development. The term can be used neutrally to describe stages in growth, or pejoratively to critique behavior or characteristics that resemble infancy. In clinical discourse, it may denote developmental delays or traits observed in early life stages, typically used as an adjective rather than a noun.
"The infantile behavior of the subject suggested a lack of maturity beyond his years."
"Medical notes described the child’s infantile reflexes as diminished over time."
"Her infantile responses contrasted with the complexity of the adult world around her."
- Pronounce as IN-fən-TAIL with three syllables. Primary stress on the first syllable, secondary emphasis on the final -tail segment. IPA US/UK/AU: /ˈɪn.fənˌtaɪl/. Start with a clear 'in' as in 'pin', reduce the middle vowel to schwa, and finish with a strong 'tail' sound like 'taɪl'. Mouth shape: lip-relaxed for /ɪ/, middle relaxed for /ə/, and rounded slightly for /aɪ/ when transitioning to -ile. Audio references: you can compare with Cambridge or Oxford dictionaries’ audio; Forvo also has native pronunciations for verification.
Common errors include misplacing stress (putting stress on the second syllable as IN-fan- TIL), pronouncing the middle as a full vowel instead of a reduced schwa, and slurring the final /aɪl/ into an /əl/ or /l/. Corrections: rehearse IN-fən-TAIL with /ˈɪn/ then /fən/ (schwa) then /taɪl/. Practice by isolating the final diphthong /aɪ/ and ensuring you close with a crisp /l/.
US: /ˈɪn.fənˌtaɪl/ with rhotic R not present; UK: /ˈɪn.fən.taɪl/, similar rhythm but with slightly clearer enunciation of the final /taɪl/; AU: /ˈɪn.fentʃaɪl/? Wait—no; actually Australian typically mirrors UK/US with light non-rhotic r and clear /taɪl/; the main differences lie in vowel quality of /ɪ/ versus /ɪ/ and /ə/ reductions and the potential for slightly more fronted /ɪ/ in US. Focus on final /aɪl/ diphthong keeping a tight glide from /aɪ/ to /l/.
The difficulty centers on the three-syllable rhythm and the middle schwa-vowel transition, along with the final /aɪl/ diphthong that requires a smooth glide into /l/. The challenge is keeping the first syllable clearly stressed while maintaining natural pace across the second syllable. Also avoid an over-precise /t/ in the middle. Focus on linking the sonorant /n/ to the following schwa, then glide into /aɪ/ without adding extra tension.
No silent letters. Each syllable carries a distinct sound: IN - fən - taɪl. The middle vowel reduces to a schwa; the /t/ is pronounced, and the final /ˌaɪl/ is a stable diphthong followed by a light /l/.
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Infantile originates from the late Latin infantilis, which derives from infans, meaning 'an infant' or 'child who cannot speak.' Infans itself comes from the verb verb ‘to speak’ in Latin, with the suffix -ilis forming an adjective. The first known English use appears in the 17th century, initially tied to medical or developmental contexts (infantile paralysis, infantile characteristics). Over time, it broadened to describe behaviors or traits perceived as childish or immature, sometimes with a negative connotation in psychological or social commentary. The word’s sense has oscillated between strictly developmental descriptors and more figurative uses, such as behavior that seems premature or lacking in adult maturity. The gradual shift also reflects changing attitudes toward childhood and development, from strictly clinical language to broader literary and colloquial usage. Today, infantile remains common in psychology, medicine, and literature, and it can carry both clinical precision and colloquial judgment depending on context and tone. Historically, its usage paralleled terms like infantilism and infantilization, which share the root infans and emphasize youth and dependence as a state, not a fixed identity. Proximal evolution includes shifts in nuance from neutral descriptor to sometimes pejorative label for behavior, reflecting evolving norms around adulthood and maturity.
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Words that rhyme with "infantile"
-ile sounds
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