callow

adjective cal·low \ ˈka-(ˌ)lō \

Updated on: 19 Nov 2017

Definition of callow

: lacking adult sophistication : immature

callow youth

callow newcomers

—

callowness

play \ˈka-lō-nəs, -lə-nəs\ noun

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Examples of callow in a Sentence

a story about a callow youth who learns the value of hard work and self-reliance

Recent Examples of callow from the Web

The childhood death of her daughter Robin is invoked for callow laughs.

— laura collins-hughes, New York Times, "Review: In ‘True Right,’ George W. and Jeb Bush Meet Sam Shepard," 13 July 2017
In Dunn and Raskin’s book, which is told from the perspective of two college freshmen, this joint scorn for the world outside their double-helix is intended to come off as charming, if not a bit callow.

— rachel syme, New Republic, "Difficult People Delivers a Dose of Political Satire," 10 Aug. 2017
The Rams had a mediocre journeyman (Case Keenum) keeping the seat warm for a callow rookie (Jared Goff), and the Bears’ situation fits the same description.

— pat fitzmaurice, SI.com, "Chicago Bears Fantasy Football 2017 Preview: Grab Jordan Howard," 2 Aug. 2017
But Gould, a deep thinker and restless interpreter, came to see the recording as an artifact of his callow youth.

— allan kozinn, WSJ, "Hearing Glenn Gould Play ‘Goldberg Variations’ Anew," 2 Oct. 2017
One can make voyeuristic, callow VR just as easily as smart, intelligent VR.

— clive thompson, Smithsonian, "Stereographs Were the Original Virtual Reality," 30 Sep. 2017
Butler’s callow defense survived early on, allowing 22.9 points and 380 yards a game in its first nine outings.

— andy benoit, SI.com, "The Pittsburgh Steelers Might Have the Best Defense in the AFC," 20 Sep. 2017
The Gators’ callow roster features 13 of 22 starters who are freshmen or sophomores, including seven on offense.

— edgar thompson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Gators face critical home opener against Tennessee," 15 Sep. 2017
Peter is an antic fellow, a drunken callow clown with a knack for celebrity impersonation — a buffoon who becomes an easy victim.

— cynthia ozick, New York Times, "King Lear Is Reborn as a 21st-Century Media Mogul," 25 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'callow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The Connection Between callow and Baldness

You might not expect a relationship between the word callow and baldness, but that connection does in fact exist. Callow comes from calu, a word that meant "bald" in Middle English and Old English. By the 17th century, callow had come to mean "without feathers" and was applied to young birds not yet ready for flight. The term was also used for those who hadn't yet spread their wings in a figurative sense. Callow continues to mean "inexperienced" or "unsophisticated" today.