babe
12 synonyms for babe, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A baby or very young child.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
See: Thesaurus:beautiful woman
beautiful person
How to use babe
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
newborn babe
hey, babe
The romantic sense is informal and used mainly in speech or casual writing.
Etymology
From Middle English babe, likely related to Old English roots for "child", ultimately imitating baby-talk sounds like "ba" (compare "baby", "papa", "mama").
Full origin of babe →Frequently asked questions
What does “babe” mean?
The word “babe” means a baby or very young child. In plain terms, either a very young child, or a casual pet name for a partner.
How do you pronounce “babe”?
“Babe” is pronounced bayb (/beɪb/ in IPA).
How do you use “babe” in a sentence?
Here is “babe” used in a sentence: “She cradled the babe gently in her arms.”
What is another word for “babe”?
Words with a similar meaning to “babe” include doll, fox, See: Thesaurus:beautiful woman and beautiful person.
What part of speech is “babe”?
“Babe” is a noun.
Where does the word “babe” come from?
The word “babe” comes from Old English. From Middle English babe, likely related to Old English roots for "child", ultimately imitating baby-talk sounds like "ba" (compare "baby", "papa", "mama").
Is “babe” a common word?
“Babe” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “babe” have?
“Babe” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a baby or very young child.
What is the difference between "babe" and "baby" as terms of affection?
Both are informal endearments for a romantic partner and are largely interchangeable. "Babe" tends to feel slightly more casual and modern, while "baby" is the older, more traditional form.
Is it appropriate to call someone "babe"?
Directed at a partner or close friend, "babe" usually reads as affectionate, but using it toward a stranger or in a professional setting can seem overly familiar or dismissive. The relationship and context decide how it lands.
Is "babe" formal or informal?
"Babe" is informal in every sense. Whether it means a baby, a partner, or an attractive person, it belongs to casual speech and writing rather than formal contexts.
