51Թ

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View synonyms for

baby

[ bey-bee ]

noun

plural babies.
  1. an infant or very young child.
  2. a newborn or very young animal.
  3. the youngest member of a family, group, etc.:

    I was the baby of the family for ten years, until my twin brothers were born.

  4. an adult who behaves like a child; an immature, helpless, or fearful person:

    Just swallow the medicine—don't be such a baby!

  5. a human fetus:

    The baby hasn’t arrived yet, but the nursery is ready.

  6. Informal.
    1. Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive. a girl or woman, especially an attractive one.
    2. a person of whom one is deeply fond; sweetheart.
    3. (sometimes initial capital letter) an affectionate or familiar address (sometimes offensive when used to strangers, casual acquaintances, subordinates, etc., especially by a male to a female).
    4. a man or boy; fellow:

      He's a tough baby to have to deal with.

    5. an invention, creation, project, or the like that requires one's special attention or expertise or of which one is especially proud:

      His charitable foundation is his baby and it truly shows.

    6. an object; thing:

      Those big babies can carry a lot of cargo.



adjective

  1. of or suitable for a baby:

    baby clothes.

  2. of or like a baby; infantile:

    baby skin.

  3. treating babies:

    a baby doctor.

    Synonyms: , , ,

  4. small; comparatively little:

    baby eggplants.

verb (used with object)

babied, babying.
  1. to treat like a young child; pamper:

    She still babies her son although he's nearly 24.

  2. to handle or use with special care; treat gently.

baby

/ ˈɪɪ /

noun

    1. a newborn or recently born child; infant
    2. ( as modifier )

      baby food

  1. an unborn child; fetus
  2. the youngest or smallest of a family or group
    1. a newborn or recently born animal
    2. ( as modifier )

      baby rabbits

  3. derogatory.
    an immature person
  4. slang.
    a young woman or sweetheart: often used as a term of address expressing affection
  5. a project of personal concern
  6. be left holding the baby
    to be left with the responsibility
  7. throw the baby out with the bath water
    to lose the essential element by indiscriminate rejection
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. prenominal comparatively small of its type

    a baby car

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to treat with love and attention
  2. to treat (someone) like a baby; pamper or overprotect
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈǴǻ, noun
  • ˈ⾱, adjective
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ··Ǵǻ noun
  • ·· adjective
  • ···ly adverb
  • ···ness noun
  • ·· adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of baby1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; babe, -y 2
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of baby1

C14: probably childish reduplication; compare mama , papa 1
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Idioms and Phrases

see throw out the baby with the bath water .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Combs’ close circle was allegedly involved in hiring sex workers, transporting them to the events, and supplying hotel rooms during the gatherings with items such as cash and baby oil.

From

Watching it is like seeing a waiter skip over with a covered silver platter, only to remove the top to reveal a watered-down, Cocomelon-level satire for iPad babies, dripping from the dish.

From

Forensic investigators found blood from the baby's mother on the binbags and were able to extract a full DNA profile.

From

A husband and wife from County Antrim convicted of serious crimes against a four week old baby boy have been sentenced to 22 years and four years.

From

A mother who killed her newborn baby boy in 1998 while in the grip of severe post-natal depression has been given a two-year suspended prison sentence after a judge decided the case "called for compassion".

From

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Related 51Թs

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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