baby

¹ba·by

noun \ˈbā-bē\

plural babies

Definition of BABY

1

a (1) : an extremely young child; especially : infant (2) : an extremely young animal

b : the youngest of a group

2

a : one that is like a baby (as in behavior)

b : something that is one's special responsibility, achievement, or interest

3

slang

a : girl, woman —often used in address

b : boy, man —often used in address

4

: person, thing <is one tough baby>

— ba·by·hood \-bē-ˌhu̇d\ noun

— ba·by·ish \-ish\ adjective

Examples of BABY

1. I hear the baby crying.
2. The baby is just learning to crawl.
3. a bird and its babies
4. My sister is the baby of the family.
5. “Only 32? Oh, you're just a baby!”
6. When it comes to getting shots, I'm a real baby.
7. Don't be such a baby—you'll get your turn.
8. Nothing's gone right since my baby went away.

Origin of BABY

Middle English, from babe

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BABY

Synonyms

babe, bambino, child, infant, neonate, newborn

Antonyms

nonachievement

Related Words

cherub; foundling, nursling, suckling; preemie (also premie); papoose; bantling, kid, kiddie (also kiddy), kiddo, moppet, toddler, tot, tyke (also tike); boy, nipper, tad; juvenile, minor, youngling, youngster, youth; brat, imp, squirt, urchin, whippersnapper; girl, hoyden, tomboy

Near Antonyms

adult, grown-up; elder, graybeard, oldster, old-timer, senior, senior citizen

Rhymes with BABY

gaby, maybe

²baby

adjective

Definition of BABY

1

: of, relating to, or being a baby

2

: much smaller than the usual <baby carrots> <a baby flattop> <take two baby steps>

First Known Use of BABY

1591

³baby

transitive verb

ba·bied ba·by·ing

Definition of BABY

1

: to tend to indulge with often excessive or inappropriate care and solicitude <babying their only child>

2

: to use or treat with care <babying a sore knee>

Examples of BABY

1. That boy will never learn to stand up for himself if you don't stop babying him.
2. It looked like he was babying his injured foot.

First Known Use of BABY

1742

Related to BABY

Synonyms

cocker, coddle, cosset, dandle, indulge, mollycoddle, nurse, pamper, spoil, wet-nurse

Antonyms

abuse, ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, manhandle, mishandle, mistreat, misuse

Related Words

cater (to), humor; content, delight, gladden, gratify, mother, oblige, please, satisfy; appease, mollify, pacify, placate, soothe

Near Antonyms

control, discipline, restrain; oppress; neglect, overlook, slight; molest, outrage, violate; harass, harm, hurt, injure, oppress, persecute, torment, torture, victimize

See Synonym Discussion at indulge

ba·by

noun \ˈbā-bē\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural babies

Medical Definition of BABY

1

: an extremely young child; especially : infant

2

: an extremely young animal

—baby adjective

—ba·by·hood \-bē-ˌhu̇d\ noun

—ba·by·ish \-ish\ adjective