A/somebody’s second childhood
noun
The state in old age when a person starts behaving like a child again, especially due to mental weakness or being senile.
As grandma entered her second childhood, it became harder for her to remember us.
Often appears as...
- entered into second childhood
- stage of second childhood
Usage tips
Idiomatic
noun
A period in a person’s adult life when they have similar interests as they had when they were a child.
After retiring, he seemed to enter a second childhood, collecting comics and playing video games.
Often appears as...
- entering a second childhood
- experience a second childhood
Usage tips
Idiomatic
noun
The state in old age when a person starts behaving like a child again, especially due to mental weakness or being senile.
As grandma entered her second childhood, it became harder for her to remember us.
Often appears as...
- entered into second childhood
- stage of second childhood
Usage tips
Idiomatic
noun
A period in a person’s adult life when they have similar interests as they had when they were a child.
After retiring, he seemed to enter a second childhood, collecting comics and playing video games.
Often appears as...
- entering a second childhood
- experience a second childhood
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Age-Related Usage
Used to describe elder people showing childlike behavior; not to denote actual childhood.
Since grandpa's health declined, he's been in his second childhood, forgetting names occasionally.
Pro Tip 2/3Sensitive Context
Use carefully; it could sound disrespectful, as it involves mentioning someone's mental state.
Aunt May is having moments of second childhood, so we need to be patient with her.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
It's metaphorical; doesn't mean the person actually becomes a child again.
Sometimes, when he forgets where he is, it's like he's in his second childhood.
Pro Tip 1/3Age-Related Usage
Used to describe elder people showing childlike behavior; not to denote actual childhood.
Since grandpa's health declined, he's been in his second childhood, forgetting names occasionally.
Pro Tip 2/3Sensitive Context
Use carefully; it could sound disrespectful, as it involves mentioning someone's mental state.
Aunt May is having moments of second childhood, so we need to be patient with her.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
It's metaphorical; doesn't mean the person actually becomes a child again.
Sometimes, when he forgets where he is, it's like he's in his second childhood.
Pro Tip 1/3Age-Related Usage
Used to describe elder people showing childlike behavior; not to denote actual childhood.
Since grandpa's health declined, he's been in his second childhood, forgetting names occasionally.
Pro Tip 2/3Sensitive Context
Use carefully; it could sound disrespectful, as it involves mentioning someone's mental state.
Aunt May is having moments of second childhood, so we need to be patient with her.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
It's metaphorical; doesn't mean the person actually becomes a child again.
Sometimes, when he forgets where he is, it's like he's in his second childhood.
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