kid

noun

\ ˈkid

Definition of kid

(Entry 1 of 4)

1 : a young person kids in high school especially : child a married couple with two kids —often used as a generalized reference to one especially younger or less experienced the kid on the pro golf tour you poor kid

2a : a young goat

b : a young individual of various animals related to the goat

3a : the flesh, fur, or skin of a young goat

b : something (such as leather) made of the fur or skin of a young goat gloves made of kid

kid

adjective

Definition of kid (Entry 2 of 4)

: younger my kid brother his kid sister

kid

verb (1)

kidded; kidding

Definition of kid (Entry 3 of 4)

transitive verb

1a : to deceive (someone) as a joke : to say untrue things to (someone) in a playful or joking way It's the truth; I wouldn't kid you. You've got to be kidding me. I kid you not.

b : to fail to admit the truth to (someone) They're kidding themselves if they think they can win.

2 : to gently criticize or tease (someone) in a friendly or good-humored way We kidded her about her old car.

intransitive verb

: to engage in good-humored fooling or horseplay He was just kidding with you. —often used with around She enjoys kidding around with her friends.

kid

verb (2)

kidded; kidding

Definition of kid (Entry 4 of 4)

intransitive verb

: to bring forth young —used of a goat or an antelope

Other Words from kid Synonyms & Antonyms Is the word kid slang? More Example Sentences Learn More about kid

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Other Words from kid

Noun

kiddish \ ˈki-dish

\ adjective

Verb (1)

kidder noun

kiddingly \ ˈki-diŋ-lē

\ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for kid

Synonyms: Noun

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

Antonyms: Noun

adult, grown-up

Is the word kid slang?

Noun

Some people worry that kid, when used of a child rather than a juvenile goat, is either slang or too colloquial to merit acceptance in standard English.

The fact is that we have been using kid to refer to a child that is human, rather than goatish, for more than three hundred years now. The Oxford English Dictionary notes that although this word was considered “low slang” when it first began being used, it had entered “familiar speech” by the 19th century.

In contemporary English, kid is neither slang nor improper. It is, however, most definitely informal, so those writing professionally or in a formal register might prefer to use child.

Examples of kid in a Sentence

Noun

She has to leave early and pick up her kids at school. He has a wife and two kids. I wish I could do something to help that poor kid.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Often, the kids go to the office, which is ½-mile from their home, with their parents. — Georgann Yara, azcentral, "Tempe-based Boompromo is responsible for everything in the swag bag, plus the bag," 13 July 2019 The kid from the city park courts became a 6-foot-4 superstar at Westminster, and the rest of the region took notice. — Pat Stoetzer, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Basketball: Westminster star Herman Costley ‘was always the best player’," 13 July 2019 Although today algorithms choose from a list of eligible citizens, for a brief period, some states relied on an arcane process for randomizing their jury lists: put the names of candidates in a box and have kids pick the winners. — Michael Waters, Smithsonian, "When 6-Year-Olds Chose Jury Candidates," 11 July 2019 Trying to get Donald Trump on your side is like trying to become friends with the coolest kid in high school: Stick around smiling and shouting sweet nothings until the king requires a peasant to clean his sneakers. — Sahil Handa, National Review, "Boris Johnson Failed to Defend Britain’s Ambassador — and British Sovereignty," 11 July 2019 The goal is to have kids at the facility for no longer than 30 days. — James Barragán, Dallas News, "Is Carrizo Springs migrant facility 'too much, too late' in addressing the migrant crisis on the southern border?," 10 July 2019 The senior volunteers help with anything the kids may need – reading, communication issues, social anxieties or language barriers – and receive a small monthly stipend to help pay for transportation and training. — Elise Takahama, The Seattle Times, "At Pike Place Market, seniors and kids work well together – and schools and day cares nationwide are noticing," 8 July 2019 Like the kid in the back of the classroom tossing spitballs and making fart sounds, a journal of subversive humor is funny only if there’s someone up front attempting to maintain order. — David Von Drehle, The Denver Post, "Guest Commentary: Mad magazine is dying — maybe we should worry," 7 July 2019 Humans are doing everything from reducing emissions to not eating meat to not having kids in an effort to combat climate change. — Doug Criss, CNN, "5 things to know for July 5: Fourth of July, Sudan, Chris Cline, California earthquake," 5 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The owners plan to hold bachelorette parties, decorating classes, and kid birthday parties. — Karen Pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "C. Adams Bakery owners want to open a dessert bakery in Wauwatosa," 21 June 2019 Most of those things really have to do with two things: Trying to make their kid act in ways that are consistent with traditional gender roles or to suppress any sort of gender diversity. — Teen Vogue, "Inside the Fight to Ban Conversion Therapy for LGBTQ Youth Through State Laws," 14 June 2019 Certain recurring elements are cartoonish: A sage little-kid drug dealer, a mom who never goes anywhere without a glass of wine. — Darren Franich, EW.com, "HBO's teen shock-soap Euphoria is sweeter than you think: EW review," 14 June 2019 Columnist Karina Bland explains why kid birthday parties are the worst. — Karina Bland, azcentral, "My son thinks I'm embarrassing. But let's face it: Through a 13-year-old’s eyes, Mom can never be cool," 13 June 2019 Living near an amusement park was kid paradise. ... — Marc Myers, WSJ, "‘Poms’ Actress Rhea Perlman on Her Wild Ride From Coney Island to Emmy Winner," 30 Apr. 2019 Both sisters have been on quite the journey since season one’s early days in Winterfell, and Sansa and her kid sister have since won our hearts — no dragons, direwolves, bratty teenage kings, or white walkers necessary. — Allure, "See How Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams & Sophie Turner's Beauty Looks Have Evolved Throughout the Years," 11 Apr. 2019 In a blink of an eye, your wonderful daughter, kid brother, or sweet cousin is all grown-up and walking across the big stage to receive their diploma. — Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, "Here’s What to Write in a Graduation Card to Your Favorite New Adult," 22 Mar. 2019 Albanese pulled together an eclectic mix of vintage and custom furniture with layered textures and materials, imparting a sense of sophisticated youthfulness that is equally kid-appropriate and a playful backdrop for adults. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "A Vivacious Canadian Lake House With a Joyful Sense of Irreverence," 24 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The Ruby Princess kids camp is free and open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. most days (babysitting is available after 10 p.m. for $5 per hour) and has three groups sorted by age. — Judy Koutsky, Condé Nast Traveler, "All Your Questions About Taking a Child on an Alaska Cruise, Answered," 20 June 2019 Weitzman isn't kidding himself that a lot of shopping venues and stores are circling the drain. — Steve Brown, Dallas News, "Texas real estate legend Herb Weitzman isn't ready to write off retail building for the internet," 28 June 2019 He was known for his bold style, pop quizzes, games, dancing mailbox and kidding with colleagues. — Hal Boedeker, orlandosentinel.com, "Is ‘Ping’ replacing Pat Clarke at WESH? TV industry buzzing with rumor," 4 June 2019 Don’t kid yourself, the Magic and other sports teams are reacting to some of this negative publicity. — Mike Bianchi, orlandosentinel.com, "Kudos to Orlando Magic for getting rid of all-woman dance team | Commentary," 11 June 2019 June 5 editorial The Denver Post has got to be kidding. — Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, "Letters: Identifying the unidentified flying objects; jeering socialism — or the definition of socialism (6/9/19)," 9 June 2019 Doggie guardians can enjoy special drinks such as the Pink Pooch and the Salty Dog, both $7 (still, not kidding). — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Best happy hours in Miami, Lauderdale, Boca, Delray, West Palm Beach and other South Florida cities.," 12 Mar. 2019 At its fall 2019 show during Milan Fashion Week, the label underlined its track record on outerwear with a line-up of statement coats that weren't kidding around, sometimes in vibrant hues of blue, cerulean and bright yellow. — Erik Maza, Town & Country, "Nancy Pelosi's Red Fire Coat is Officially Available to Buy," 14 Mar. 2019 He's since been removed from his position as royal mascot and unequivocally banned from all other royal happenings ........ just kidding! — Tess Koman, Cosmopolitan, "This Pony Had the Nerve to Try and Eat Prince Harry With Meghan Markle Watching!!," 14 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

My strategy was simple: add one scoop (two scoops became too gritty) into my morning matcha or oatmeal, and instantly transform into Kylie Jenner—kidding. — Susan Brickell, Health.com, "This Collagen Brand Is Kylie Jenner's Secret to Glowing Skin—and It's on Sale Today Only," 16 July 2019 Hinch kidded that Brantley's hamstring had become sore from getting on base so many times in the Astros' 5-4 loss in Friday's series opener. — Brent Zwerneman, Houston Chronicle, "Astros' Michael Brantley gets precautionary day off," 6 July 2019 Perhaps that means that Facebook is kidding, or hasn’t thought things through, or is not really planning for Libra to be a meaningful medium of exchange. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "A Facebook civil rights audit could have unintended consequences," 2 July 2019 All kidding aside, Wisconsin does have disproportionate representation in the series. — Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The IndyCar paddock is full of Cheeseheads, don'tcha know," 21 June 2019 The Ruby Princess kids camp is free and open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. most days (babysitting is available after 10 p.m. for $5 per hour) and has three groups sorted by age. — Judy Koutsky, Condé Nast Traveler, "All Your Questions About Taking a Child on an Alaska Cruise, Answered," 20 June 2019 Weitzman isn't kidding himself that a lot of shopping venues and stores are circling the drain. — Steve Brown, Dallas News, "Texas real estate legend Herb Weitzman isn't ready to write off retail building for the internet," 28 June 2019 The duo have been super cute on social media, and their co-stars love to kid them about their relationship. 2. — Hannah Orenstein, Seventeen, "27 Celebrities Who Dated Their Co-Stars IRL," 7 Dec. 2018 Don’t kid yourself, the Magic and other sports teams are reacting to some of this negative publicity. — Mike Bianchi, orlandosentinel.com, "Kudos to Orlando Magic for getting rid of all-woman dance team | Commentary," 11 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.