womanchild
Girl not grown
A womanchild is an adult woman who remains emotionally immature, irresponsible, or dependent in ways associated with childhood.
The term mirrors *manchild* but sees less use.
It suggests someone who avoids adult responsibilities, throws tantrums, or expects others to manage her life: She's a total womanchild—her parents still pay her rent and do her laundry.
Superior and dismissive manner
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
patronizing · insulting · derogatory · mockery · criticism · stereotype · label · gendered
Self-contradicting phrase device
- contradictionOpposing claims, incompatible together
- juxtapositionAdjacent contrasting placement
- dualityTwofold nature
- tensionStretched or strained state
incongruity · liminal · in-between · threshold · transitional · ambiguity · neither-nor · hybrid
Teenage developmental stage
- coming-of-ageYouth becoming adulthood
- emergingComing into view
- growingIncreasing or enlarging
- buddingDeveloping from an outgrowth
transitional · puberty · bildungsroman · maturation · self-discovery · quarter-life · twentysomething
condescending
Superior and dismissive manner
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- dismissiveShowing contemptuous disregard
- demeaningCausing loss of respect
disparaging · patronizing · insulting · derogatory · mockery · criticism · stereotype · label · gendered · sexist
oxymoron
Self-contradicting phrase device
- contradictionOpposing claims, incompatible together
- juxtapositionAdjacent contrasting placement
- dualityTwofold nature
tension · incongruity · liminal · in-between · threshold · transitional · ambiguity · neither-nor · hybrid
adolescence
Teenage developmental stage
- coming-of-ageYouth becoming adulthood
- emergingComing into view
- growingIncreasing or enlarging
budding · transitional · puberty · bildungsroman · maturation · self-discovery · quarter-life · twentysomething
protagonist
Story's central figure
infantilizing
Treating as incapable
petulant · immature · frivolous · impulsive · whimsical · tantrum · needy · dependent · spoiled · bratty