noun
Uncommon
baba
BAH-bah
Baba (noun) means a small, rich cake soaked in rum or other flavored syrup. Example: “The bakery's rum baba was soaked until it nearly fell apart on the fork.”
noun
1
A small, rich cake soaked in rum or other flavored syrup.
"The bakery's rum baba was soaked until it nearly fell apart on the fork."
"For dessert we shared a baba topped with whipped cream."
"Grandma soaked each little baba in syrup before serving them warm."
2
In various cultures, an informal word for a father, grandmother, or other family elder.
"She called her grandfather "baba" from the time she could talk."
"Baba is making her famous soup for the whole family tonight."
"My baba told us stories about the village where she grew up."
3
A respected spiritual teacher or holy man, especially in South Asian traditions.
"Pilgrims traveled far to seek the baba's blessing."
"The villagers gathered around the baba to listen to his teachings."
"A baba lived in a small hut by the river and advised visitors."
How to use baba
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a syrup-soaked cake, or a family/spiritual term of address used in many cultures.
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Word forms
- Plural
- babas
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The bakery's rum _____ was soaked until it nearly fell apart on the fork.
Etymology
One of the earliest sounds babies make, adopted across many unrelated languages as a word for close family members like father or grandmother; the cake sense comes through French from Polish baba ("old woman").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for baba
See all rhymes for baba →Frequently asked questions
What does “baba” mean?
The word “baba” means a small, rich cake soaked in rum or other flavored syrup. In plain terms, depending on context: a syrup-soaked cake, or a family/spiritual term of address used in many cultures.
How do you pronounce “baba”?
“Baba” is pronounced BAH-bah (/ˈbɑːbɑː/ in IPA).
How do you use “baba” in a sentence?
Here is “baba” used in a sentence: “The bakery's rum baba was soaked until it nearly fell apart on the fork.”
What part of speech is “baba”?
“Baba” is a noun.
Where does the word “baba” come from?
The word “baba” comes from French. One of the earliest sounds babies make, adopted across many unrelated languages as a word for close family members like father or grandmother; the cake sense comes through French from Polish baba ("old woman").
Is “baba” a common word?
“Baba” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “baba” have?
“Baba” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, rich cake soaked in rum or other flavored syrup.
What does 'baba' mean in different cultures?
Baba has several meanings depending on culture and context: in some traditions it's an informal word for a father, grandmother, or other family elder, while in South Asian traditions it can refer to a respected spiritual teacher or holy man. It is also the name of a small, rich cake soaked in flavored syrup, so its meaning depends heavily on context.
Does 'baba' always mean 'father'?
No, baba does not always mean father; in various cultures it can also refer informally to a grandmother or other elder relative, and it has entirely separate meanings as a spiritual title or a type of cake. Its meaning must be determined by the culture and context in which it's used.
What is a baba cake?
A baba is a small, rich cake soaked in rum or another flavored syrup, giving it a moist texture and strong flavor. It is associated with French and Eastern European baking traditions, and this culinary sense is unrelated to its use as a family or spiritual term.
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