noun
Uncommon
toddler
TOD-luh
Toddler (noun) means a young child, typically between one and three years old, who has just learned to walk. Example: “The toddler wobbled a few steps before sitting back down.”
noun
1
A young child, typically between one and three years old, who has just learned to walk.
"The toddler wobbled a few steps before sitting back down."
"Childproofing the house is essential once you have a toddler."
"I can't believe Vanessa's baby is now a toddler already!"
How to use toddler
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA very young child who has recently started walking but is still a bit unsteady on their feet.
Common pairings
toddler tantrum
toddler years
a toddler and a baby
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Word forms
- Plural
- toddlers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ wobbled a few steps before sitting back down.
Etymology
From the verb "toddle," meaning to walk unsteadily with short, tottering steps, plus the -er suffix — literally "one who toddles."
Synonyms
View more →
little one
small child
ankle-biter
crumb crusher
crumb snatcher
leg biter
preschooler
rugrat
squirt
sproglet
tot
tyke
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “toddler” mean?
The word “toddler” means a young child, typically between one and three years old, who has just learned to walk. In plain terms, a very young child who has recently started walking but is still a bit unsteady on their feet.
How do you pronounce “toddler”?
“Toddler” is pronounced TOD-luh (/ˈtɑdlɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “toddler” in a sentence?
Here is “toddler” used in a sentence: “The toddler wobbled a few steps before sitting back down.”
What is another word for “toddler”?
Words with a similar meaning to “toddler” include ankle-biter, crumb crusher, crumb snatcher, leg biter, preschooler and rugrat.
What part of speech is “toddler”?
“Toddler” is a noun.
Is “toddler” a common word?
“Toddler” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a toddler and a baby?
A baby generally refers to a child in the first year of life who cannot yet walk, while a toddler is a young child, typically between one and three years old, who has just learned to walk. The term toddler specifically highlights the wobbly, unsteady walking, or toddling, that characterizes this stage.
What is the difference between a toddler and a preschooler?
A toddler is typically between one and three years old and has just learned to walk, while a preschooler is generally an older child, roughly three to five years old, who is closer to starting school. The two stages overlap at the edges but describe different levels of physical and developmental maturity.
Why is the word toddler used specifically for children who have just learned to walk?
Toddler comes from the idea of toddling, the unsteady, short-stepped walking style of a young child who has recently learned to walk. This is why the term is reserved for children roughly one to three years old rather than infants who cannot yet walk or older children who walk steadily.
