kid
0 antonyms and opposites of kid, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A child or young person; informally, anyone's son or daughter regardless of their age.
How to use kid
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old Norse "kið" (young goat), which entered English through Middle English. The word was first used as slang for "child" around the 1590s and became standard informal English by the 1840s.
Full origin of kid →Frequently asked questions
What does “kid” mean?
The word “kid” means a child or young person; informally, anyone's son or daughter regardless of their age. In plain terms, a young child, a baby goat, or (as a verb) to tease someone in fun.
How do you pronounce “kid”?
“Kid” is pronounced KIHD (/ˈkɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “kid” in a sentence?
Here is “kid” used in a sentence: “The kids were playing in the backyard all afternoon.”
What part of speech is “kid”?
Depending on how it is used, “kid” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “kid” come from?
The word “kid” dates back to around 1590 and comes from Middle English. From Old Norse "kið" (young goat), which entered English through Middle English. The word was first used as slang for "child" around the 1590s and became standard informal English by the 1840s.
Is “kid” a common word?
“Kid” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “kid” have?
“Kid” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a child or young person; informally, anyone's son or daughter regardless of their age.
What is the difference between a kid and a child?
They mean the same thing, but differ in tone. Child is the standard, neutral word suitable for formal writing and official contexts. Kid is informal and conversational, common in everyday speech. You would write 'children must be accompanied by an adult' on a sign, but say 'how are your kids?' to a friend.
Is kid formal or informal?
Kid is informal. It is perfectly acceptable in casual conversation, texts, and friendly writing, but in formal documents, reports, or official notices, child or young person is preferred. Calling someone a kid can also sound warm and affectionate, which is part of why it feels relaxed rather than official.
Why are adults sometimes called someone's kids?
In the sense of offspring, kid describes a person's son or daughter at any age, not just young children. A parent might say 'my kids are in their forties now' because they will always be that parent's children. Here kid marks the family relationship rather than the person's actual age.