baby

[bey-bee]

noun

plural

babies 

1. an infant or very young child.

2. a newborn or very young animal.

3. the youngest member of a family, group, etc..

   I was the baby of the family for ten years, until my twin brothers were born.

4. an adult who behaves like a child; an immature, helpless, or fearful person.

   Just swallow the medicine—don't be such a baby!

5. a human fetus.

   The baby hasn’t arrived yet, but the nursery is ready.

6. Informal.

   1. Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive.,  a girl or woman, especially an attractive one.

   2. a person of whom one is deeply fond; sweetheart.

   3. (sometimes initial capital letter),  an affectionate or familiar address (sometimes offensive when used to strangers, casual acquaintances, subordinates, etc., especially by a male to a female).

   4. a man or boy; fellow.

      He's a tough baby to have to deal with.

   5. an invention, creation, project, or the like that requires one's special attention or expertise or of which one is especially proud.

      His charitable foundation is his baby and it truly shows.

   6. an object; thing.

      Those big babies can carry a lot of cargo.

adjective

1. of or suitable for a baby.

   baby clothes.

2. of or like a baby; infantile.

   baby skin.

3. treating babies.

   a baby doctor.

   Synonyms: coddle, humor, spoil, indulge

4. small; comparatively little.

   baby eggplants.

verb (used with object)

babied, babying 

1. to treat like a young child; pamper.

   She still babies her son although he's nearly 24.

2. to handle or use with special care; treat gently.

baby

/ ˈbeɪbɪ /

noun

1. 1. a newborn or recently born child; infant

   2. ( as modifier )

      baby food

2. an unborn child; fetus

3. the youngest or smallest of a family or group

4. 1. a newborn or recently born animal

   2. ( as modifier )

      baby rabbits

5. derogatory,  an immature person

6. slang,  a young woman or sweetheart: often used as a term of address expressing affection

7. a project of personal concern

8. to be left with the responsibility

9. to lose the essential element by indiscriminate rejection

adjective

1. (prenominal) comparatively small of its type

   a baby car

verb

1. to treat with love and attention

2. to treat (someone) like a baby; pamper or overprotect

Other Word Forms

• babyhood noun
• babyish adjective
• babyishly adverb
• babyishness noun
• babylike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of baby¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; babe, -y ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of baby¹

C14: probably childish reduplication; compare _mama , _papa ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see throw out the baby with the bath water.

Example Sentences

Two years later, a fifth pregnancy went to term, but baby Patrick was stillborn.

From BBC

By the end of the second film, Tom and Lucy have a baby of their own and are living away from Downton.

From Los Angeles Times

An activity centre for babies and toddlers, an Indian restaurant, an indoor golf centre – and a mini experimental steel plant.

From BBC

The parents of missing baby Emmanuel Haro pleaded not guilty to a single count of murder each on Thursday, more than two weeks after the child’s mother claimed he vanished during an attack.

From Los Angeles Times

"Out of nowhere, he said: 'I want one baby from you and one baby from your friend'," the girl told police.

From BBC

Related Words

• babe 
• chick 
• child 
• kid 
• toddler 
• youngster