noun
Very common
Children
Children (noun) means the plural of child — more than one young person, or more than one son or daughter. Example: “The children played in the garden until sunset.”
noun
1
The plural of child — more than one young person, or more than one son or daughter.
"The children played in the garden until sunset."
"Both of their children now live abroad."
How to use Children
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMore than one child.
Common mistake
This is the irregular plural of "child" — never write "childs" or "childrens."
Common pairings
raise children
children's book
young children
children of the community
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The _____ played in the garden until sunset.
Etymology
From Middle English children, alteration of earlier childre ("children"; > English dialectal childer), from Old English ċildru, ċildra (“children”), nominative and accusative plural of ċild (“child”), equivalent to child + -ren.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “Children” mean?
The word “Children” means the plural of child — more than one young person, or more than one son or daughter. In plain terms, more than one child.
How do you use “Children” in a sentence?
Here is “Children” used in a sentence: “The children played in the garden until sunset.”
What part of speech is “Children”?
“Children” is a noun.
Is “Children” a common word?
“Children” is a very common word in modern English.
What is the singular of 'children'?
The singular is 'child.' 'Children' is its irregular plural, so you say 'one child' but 'two children.' There is no such word as 'childs' or 'childrens' — 'children' is already plural, and adding another 's' is a common mistake. To show possession by more than one, write 'children's.'
Why is the plural of 'child' 'children' and not 'childs'?
'Children' keeps an old English plural ending that most words have since lost. Centuries ago, some nouns formed plurals with '-en' rather than '-s,' and a handful survive today, such as 'ox' becoming 'oxen.' 'Child' actually took an extra step, adding both an older '-er' and the '-en,' which gives us 'children.'
What is the difference between 'children' and 'kids'?
They mean the same thing, but 'kids' is more casual and 'children' is more formal or neutral. You would write 'children' in official documents, signs, and serious writing, while 'kids' suits everyday conversation. Originally 'kid' meant a young goat, which is why some people still consider it slightly informal.
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