child

child

noun, often attributive \ˈchī(-ə)ld\

plural chil·dren\ˈchil-drən, -dərn\

Definition of CHILD

1

a : an unborn or recently born person b dialect : a female infant

2

a : a young person especially between infancy and youth b : a childlike or childish person c : a person not yet of age

3

usually childe \ˈchī(-ə)ld\ archaic : a youth of noble birth

4

a : a son or daughter of human parents b : descendant

5

: one strongly influenced by another or by a place or state of affairs

6

: product, result <barbed wire … is truly a child of the plains — W. P. Webb>

— child·less \ˈchī(-ə)l(d)-ləs\ adjective

— child·less·ness noun

— with child

: pregnant

Examples of CHILD

1. the birth of a child
2. She's pregnant with their first child.
3. a play for both children and adults
4. All of their children are grown now.
5. an elderly couple and their adult children
6. Men are such children sometimes.

Origin of CHILD

Middle English, from Old English cild; akin to Gothic kilthei womb, and perhaps to Sanskrit jaṭhara belly

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to CHILD

Synonyms: bairn [chiefly Scottish], bambino, bud, chap [Southern & Midland], chick, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie (also kiddy), kiddo, moppet, sprat, sprout, squirt, whelp, youngling, youngster, youth

Antonyms: adult, grown-up

Related Words: adolescent, minor; kindergartner (also kindergartener), preschooler, rug rat [slang], schoolboy, schoolchild, schoolgirl, schoolkid; babe, baby, bantling, infant, neonate, nestling, newborn, toddler, tot, tyke (also tike), weanling; brat, devil, hellion, imp, jackanapes, mischief, monkey, rapscallion, rascal, rogue, urchin, whippersnapper; cherub; preteen, preteen-ager, subteen, teen, teenager, teener, teenybopper, tween; lad, nipper, shaver, stripling, tad; bobby-soxer, hoyden, tomboy

Near Antonyms: middle-ager; ancient, elder, golden-ager, oldster, old-timer, senior, senior citizen

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with CHILD

piled, wild