noun

baby

BAY-bee

noun

A very young child, from birth until walking and talking begin.

"The baby slept through the entire flight."

"They're expecting their first baby in the spring."

The youngest member of a family, regardless of their actual age.

"Even at forty, she's still the baby of the family."

An affectionate way to address a romantic partner.

"Hey baby, I'll be home in ten minutes."

A project or idea someone feels strongly protective of because they created it.

"The app was his baby — he'd spent three years building it."

adj

Small or young, especially describing produce picked early or a smaller version of something.

"The salad came with baby spinach and baby carrots."

verb

To treat someone with excessive care or indulgence, as if they were a small child.

"Stop babying him — he can tie his own shoes."

How to Use Baby

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA very young child or animal — or, informally, a term of endearment, a pet project, or something small of its kind.

Common mistake

As a term of address ("hey, baby") it's informal and can come across as overly familiar or old-fashioned in professional settings.

Common pairings

have a baby baby steps baby someone baby corn

Word Forms

babier comparative, babyer comparative, baby-er comparative, babied past tense, babies plural, Babys plural, babies singular, babiest superlative, babyest superlative, baby-est superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ slept through the entire flight.

Etymology

A diminutive form of the older English word "babe," probably imitating the sounds a baby makes (compare "babble").

Synonyms

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babe babby babbie infant bab babber babe in arms bairn bub bantling bundle of joy chit

Related Words

woman girl friend bab infant bastard babe bairn

Rhymes for baby

Gaby lullaby crybaby Barnaby

See all rhymes for baby →

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