Tyke/taɪk/ Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Behave Like Children Often implies playfulness or slight troublemaking by young kids. That group of tykes is running around the garden. Pro Tip 2/3Endearing Disapproval Used affectionately for a child's naughty behavior, not serious trouble. Oh, look at what the little tyke has done to the cake! Pro Tip 3/3Not for Formal Use Considered too casual for formal documents or meetings. In the parent-teacher meetings, we refer to them as children, not tykes.