baby
Looking for the meaning of baby? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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A very young human, particularly from birth to a couple of years old or until walking is fully mastered.
Any very young animal, especially a vertebrate; many species have specific names for their babies, such as kittens for the babies of cats, puppies for the babies of dogs, and chickens for the babies of birds. See for more.
Unborn young; a fetus.
“When is your baby due?”
A person who is immature, infantile or feeble.
“Stand up for yourself – don't be such a baby!”
A person who is new to or inexperienced in something.
“I only qualified as an architect this summer, so I'm still a baby.”
The lastborn of a family; the youngest sibling, irrespective of age.
“Adam is the baby of the family.”
A term of endearment used to refer to or address one's girlfriend, boyfriend or spouse.
“Baby, don't cry.”
A form of address to a man or a woman considered to be attractive.
“Hey baby, what are you doing later?”
A pet project or responsibility.
“You need to talk to John about that – it's his baby.”
An affectionate term for anything.
“See my new car here? I can't wait to take this baby for a drive.”
A small image of an infant; a doll.
To coddle; to pamper somebody like an infant.
To tend (something) with care; to be overly attentive to (something), fuss over.
Of a child: very young; of the age when he or she would be termed a baby or infant.
“a baby boy”
Of an animal: young.
“a baby elephant”
Intended for babies.
“baby clothes”
(of vegetables, etc.) Picked when small and immature (as in baby corn, baby potatoes).
Understanding "baby"
The word **"baby"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/ˈbeɪbi/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"baby"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "baby" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "baby" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "baby" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /ˈbeɪbi/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "baby" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "baby" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "baby" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "baby". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/ˈbeɪbi/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "baby" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use baby in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "baby" can be used in academic and casual conversations.