Callow

/ˈkæləʊ/
adjective

Lacking in experience or understanding; immature.

The callow intern made many mistakes on his first day.
Visual representation of "callow" - Lacking in experience or understanding; immature.

Often appears as...

  • callow youth
  • callow novice
adjective

Not yet developed; junior.

He was a callow junior analyst.
Visual representation of "callow" - Not yet developed; junior.

Often appears as...

  • callow lad
  • callow player
adjective

Lacking in experience or understanding; immature.

The callow intern made many mistakes on his first day.
Visual representation of "callow" - Lacking in experience or understanding; immature.

Often appears as...

  • callow youth
  • callow novice
adjective

Not yet developed; junior.

He was a callow junior analyst.
Visual representation of "callow" - Not yet developed; junior.

Often appears as...

  • callow lad
  • callow player
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "callow"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Implication

Often implies insufficient ability or judgment due to inexperience.

Illustration for Negative Implication
The callow manager struggled to make decisive choices.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Learning Context

Used when highlighting someone's need to learn and grow in a field.

Illustration for Learning Context
Her callow understanding of politics became evident during the debate.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not an Insult

While it hints at immaturity, it's not typically used as a harsh criticism.

Illustration for Not an Insult
His callow sense of humor was more endearing than annoying.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Implication

Often implies insufficient ability or judgment due to inexperience.

Illustration for Negative Implication
The callow manager struggled to make decisive choices.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Learning Context

Used when highlighting someone's need to learn and grow in a field.

Illustration for Learning Context
Her callow understanding of politics became evident during the debate.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not an Insult

While it hints at immaturity, it's not typically used as a harsh criticism.

Illustration for Not an Insult
His callow sense of humor was more endearing than annoying.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Implication

Often implies insufficient ability or judgment due to inexperience.

Illustration for Negative Implication
The callow manager struggled to make decisive choices.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Learning Context

Used when highlighting someone's need to learn and grow in a field.

Illustration for Learning Context
Her callow understanding of politics became evident during the debate.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not an Insult

While it hints at immaturity, it's not typically used as a harsh criticism.

Illustration for Not an Insult
His callow sense of humor was more endearing than annoying.
Visual representation of the word "Callow"

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Video examples

Stuart Firestein: The...

because ignorance has a lot of bad connotations and I clearly don't mean any of those. So I don't mean stupidity, I don't mean a callow indifference to fact or reason or data. The ignorant are clearly unenlightened, unaware, uninformed, and present company today excepted,

Video examples

Stuart Firestein: The...

because ignorance has a lot of bad connotations and I clearly don't mean any of those. So I don't mean stupidity, I don't mean a callow indifference to fact or reason or data. The ignorant are clearly unenlightened, unaware, uninformed, and present company today excepted,

Example 1 of 1

Quote examples

Camille Paglia

American Author

I'm worried about the future of America insofar as our academically most promising students are being funneled through the cookie-cutter Ivy League and other elite schools and emerging with this callow anti-American, anti-military cast to their thinking.
Portrait of Camille Paglia

Quote examples

Richard Corliss

American Writer

Fess up, 'Hunger Games' fans: Does anyone care about Peeta or find him attractive? He's the Ron Weasley of the series: he gets points for callow valor and sympathy for his run of bad luck, but he remains a pasty, earnest bore.
Portrait of Richard Corliss

Quote examples

Margot Lee Shetterly

American Writer

As a callow 18-year-old leaving for college, I'd seen my home town as a mere launching pad for a life in worldlier locales, a place to be from rather than a place to be.
Portrait of Margot Lee Shetterly

Quote examples

Cass Gilbert

American Architect

It is only the young and callow and ignorant that admire rashness. Think before you speak. Know your subject.
Portrait of Cass Gilbert

Quote examples

Rob Lowe

American Actor

Somewhere in my callow, misspent youth, I was smart enough to marry my best friend.
Portrait of Rob Lowe

Quote examples

Camille Paglia

American Author

I'm worried about the future of America insofar as our academically most promising students are being funneled through the cookie-cutter Ivy League and other elite schools and emerging with this callow anti-American, anti-military cast to their thinking.
Portrait of Camille Paglia

Quote examples

Richard Corliss

American Writer

Fess up, 'Hunger Games' fans: Does anyone care about Peeta or find him attractive? He's the Ron Weasley of the series: he gets points for callow valor and sympathy for his run of bad luck, but he remains a pasty, earnest bore.
Portrait of Richard Corliss

Quote examples

Margot Lee Shetterly

American Writer

As a callow 18-year-old leaving for college, I'd seen my home town as a mere launching pad for a life in worldlier locales, a place to be from rather than a place to be.
Portrait of Margot Lee Shetterly

Quote examples

Cass Gilbert

American Architect

It is only the young and callow and ignorant that admire rashness. Think before you speak. Know your subject.
Portrait of Cass Gilbert

Quote examples

Rob Lowe

American Actor

Somewhere in my callow, misspent youth, I was smart enough to marry my best friend.
Portrait of Rob Lowe
Example 1 of 5
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