baby
24 synonyms and 0 antonyms for baby, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A very young child, from birth until walking and talking begin.
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.
How to use baby
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
A diminutive form of the older English word "babe," probably imitating the sounds a baby makes (compare "babble").
Full origin of baby →Frequently asked questions
What does “baby” mean?
The word “baby” means a very young child, from birth until walking and talking begin. In plain terms, a very young child or animal — or, informally, a term of endearment, a pet project, or something small of its kind.
How do you pronounce “baby”?
“Baby” is pronounced BAY-bee (/ˈbeɪ̯.bi/ in IPA).
How do you use “baby” in a sentence?
Here is “baby” used in a sentence: “The baby slept through the entire flight.”
What is another word for “baby”?
Words with a similar meaning to “baby” include babe, babby, babbie, infant, bab and babber.
What part of speech is “baby”?
Depending on how it is used, “baby” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Is “baby” a common word?
“Baby” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “baby” have?
“Baby” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a very young child, from birth until walking and talking begin.
What is the difference between a baby and a toddler?
A baby is a very young child from birth until they begin walking and talking, usually the first year of life. A toddler is the next stage, roughly one to three years old, named for the unsteady 'toddling' walk. The move from baby to toddler is marked by first steps and first words.
What is the difference between a baby and an infant?
The two overlap and are often used interchangeably. 'Infant' is the more formal or medical term, common in health and legal contexts, while 'baby' is the everyday word. 'Newborn' refers to the first weeks specifically. All describe a child in the earliest stage of life, before toddlerhood.
Why is baby also used as a term of affection?
Because a baby is something small, loved, and cared for, the word extends warmly to a partner or loved one — 'baby' as a term of endearment. It can also mean a personal project someone is proud of — 'this business is my baby.' The common thread is deep attachment and care.
At what age does a baby stop being a baby?
By this definition, babyhood ends when a child starts walking and talking, generally around twelve to eighteen months, as they become a toddler. The boundary is gradual rather than fixed, since children develop at different rates. Affectionately, of course, a child may be called someone's baby for life.