baby
1 of 3noun
ba·by ˈbā-bē 
plural babies
1
a(1)
: an extremely young child
especially : infant
(2)
: an extremely young animal
b
: the youngest of a group
He is the baby of the family.
2
a
: one that is like a baby (as in behavior)
When it comes to getting shots, I'm a real baby.
b
: something that is one's special responsibility, achievement, or interest
The project was his baby.
3
slang
a
: girl, woman —often used in address
b
: boy, man —often used in address
Hey baby, nice car!
4
: person, thing
is one tough baby
babyhood
ˈbā-bē-ˌhu̇d
noun babyish
ˈbā-bē-ish
adjective baby
2 of 3adjective
1
: of, relating to, or being an extremely young child
a baby bonnet
2
: much smaller than the usual
baby carrots
a baby grand piano
Take baby steps.
baby
3 of 3verb
babied; babying
transitive verb
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
Synonyms
Noun
- babe
- bambino
- child
- infant
- neonate
- newborn
Verb
- cocker
- coddle
- cosset
- dandle
- indulge
- mollycoddle
- nurse
- pamper
- spoil
- wet-nurse
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun I hear the baby crying. The baby is just learning to crawl. a bird and its babies My sister is the baby of the family. “Only 32? Oh, you're just a baby!” When it comes to getting shots, I'm a real baby. Don't be such a baby—you'll get your turn. Nothing's gone right since my baby went away. Verb That boy will never learn to stand up for himself if you don't stop babying him. He was babying his injured foot. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Lia Picard, WSJ, 10 Sep. 2022 Her first stop on her tour's continuation (and foray back into Y2K) takes place in Brazil, where she's been showing off her hot pink bra hidden underneath a sheer, baby bubblegum sweater. Seventeen, 9 Sep. 2022 But those were relative baby steps compared to what some other automakers have done. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2022 Drew Scott and wife Linda Phan are letting fans in on their bedtime routine with baby Parker. Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2022 Spinach and baby tomatoes bring fresh flavor to this savory garlic-and-herb chicken macaroni. Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2022 Swift explained how her journey into filmmaking didn’t come overnight and called for baby steps. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2022 Options include a crispy fish sandwich with habanero slaw and heirloom tomatoes; Dutch baby pancake with fresh fruit and whipped ricotta cheese; oyster Benedict; and the Hot Dog Donut, a dog baked inside a savory doughnut dough. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 Blake and Cristal continue to quarrel on business matters; Alexis preps for Fallon and Liam’s baby shower; Jeff reconsiders his decisions; Sam learns compromising information about the hotel. Olivia Mccormack, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022 Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2022 Workouts in the park for the shrinking of post-baby bodies. Helena Andrews-dyer, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 Since welcoming Wave, Cardi hasn't shied away from speaking about her post-baby body. Giovana Gelhoren, Peoplemag, 11 Aug. 2022 Simpson has famously dealt with weight gain and weight loss throughout the years — all while in the public eye — and says she's always shocked by her body's ability to go back to her pre-baby size. Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE.com, 15 Apr. 2022 Rihanna made another stylish post-baby appearance for A$AP Rocky's Rolling Loud set yesterday. Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 9 July 2022 Since welcoming Wave, Cardi hasn't shied away from speaking about her post-baby body. Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE.com, 29 June 2022 These are major changes, and returning to pre-baby athletic performance will take time. Hayden Carpenter, Outside Online, 20 May 2021 The rapper continued her surprise post-baby tour of Paris Fashion Week at the Balenciaga office in Paris Thursday. Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 2 Oct. 2021 ELLE, 5 Sep. 2022 With the pandemic receding, voters have been whipsawed by economic uncertainty, public safety concerns, lingering public health threats, and shortages of everything from used cars to baby formula to teachers. Jennifer Medina, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Sep. 2022 All Together: Recipes To Love and The Pepper Thai Cookbook, respectively, to baby Jack as well. Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 9 Aug. 2022 From low-rise jeans to baby tees to the mini-est of mini skirts, the look that had been dominating Gen Z TikTok and Instagram archive accounts made its way onto the runways and into campaigns and editorials. José Criales-unzueta, Vogue, 22 July 2022 People can order just about anything online, from couches to baby swings to a new cellphone. Kolbie Peterson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 July 2022 In 2020, the duchess brought together 19 British brands and retailers to donate more than 10,000 new items to baby banks across the nation. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 8 June 2022 My little boy gave me another four months to baby him and love him more than anything. cleveland, 25 May 2022 Delta’s cargo unit can ship a variety of live animals, ranging from insects to baby chicks to primates moving between wildlife preserves or zoos. Kelly Yamanouchi, ajc, 6 May 2022 See More
Noun
Still, even at dizzying prices, the online registry site Babylist said the number of people adding stroller wagons to their baby registries increased about 40% from 2020 to 2021, and increased another 55% from 2021 to 2022. Lia Picard, WSJ, 10 Sep. 2022 Her first stop on her tour's continuation (and foray back into Y2K) takes place in Brazil, where she's been showing off her hot pink bra hidden underneath a sheer, baby bubblegum sweater. Seventeen, 9 Sep. 2022 But those were relative baby steps compared to what some other automakers have done. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2022 Drew Scott and wife Linda Phan are letting fans in on their bedtime routine with baby Parker. Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2022 Spinach and baby tomatoes bring fresh flavor to this savory garlic-and-herb chicken macaroni. Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2022 Swift explained how her journey into filmmaking didn’t come overnight and called for baby steps. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2022 Options include a crispy fish sandwich with habanero slaw and heirloom tomatoes; Dutch baby pancake with fresh fruit and whipped ricotta cheese; oyster Benedict; and the Hot Dog Donut, a dog baked inside a savory doughnut dough. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Sep. 2022 Blake and Cristal continue to quarrel on business matters; Alexis preps for Fallon and Liam’s baby shower; Jeff reconsiders his decisions; Sam learns compromising information about the hotel. Olivia Mccormack, Washington Post, 9 Sep. 2022 Adjective
Lively previously opened up about her post-baby body struggles after welcoming her third daughter, Betty, in October 2019. Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 24 Aug. 2022 Workouts in the park for the shrinking of post-baby bodies. Helena Andrews-dyer, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2022 Since welcoming Wave, Cardi hasn't shied away from speaking about her post-baby body. Giovana Gelhoren, Peoplemag, 11 Aug. 2022 Simpson has famously dealt with weight gain and weight loss throughout the years — all while in the public eye — and says she's always shocked by her body's ability to go back to her pre-baby size. Nicholas Rice, PEOPLE.com, 15 Apr. 2022 Rihanna made another stylish post-baby appearance for A$AP Rocky's Rolling Loud set yesterday. Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 9 July 2022 Since welcoming Wave, Cardi hasn't shied away from speaking about her post-baby body. Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE.com, 29 June 2022 These are major changes, and returning to pre-baby athletic performance will take time. Hayden Carpenter, Outside Online, 20 May 2021 The rapper continued her surprise post-baby tour of Paris Fashion Week at the Balenciaga office in Paris Thursday. Quinci Legardye, Harper's BAZAAR, 2 Oct. 2021 Verb
Then the timeline jumps to the ninth year of King Viserys' reign, and then forward half a year after Queen Aemma's death, and then three years later to baby Aegon II's second birthday name day. ELLE, 5 Sep. 2022 With the pandemic receding, voters have been whipsawed by economic uncertainty, public safety concerns, lingering public health threats, and shortages of everything from used cars to baby formula to teachers. Jennifer Medina, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Sep. 2022 All Together: Recipes To Love and The Pepper Thai Cookbook, respectively, to baby Jack as well. Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 9 Aug. 2022 From low-rise jeans to baby tees to the mini-est of mini skirts, the look that had been dominating Gen Z TikTok and Instagram archive accounts made its way onto the runways and into campaigns and editorials. José Criales-unzueta, Vogue, 22 July 2022 People can order just about anything online, from couches to baby swings to a new cellphone. Kolbie Peterson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 July 2022 In 2020, the duchess brought together 19 British brands and retailers to donate more than 10,000 new items to baby banks across the nation. Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 8 June 2022 My little boy gave me another four months to baby him and love him more than anything. cleveland, 25 May 2022 Delta’s cargo unit can ship a variety of live animals, ranging from insects to baby chicks to primates moving between wildlife preserves or zoos. Kelly Yamanouchi, ajc, 6 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from babe
Adjective
attributive use of baby entry 1
Verb
verbal derivative of baby entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Adjective
1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1744, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing baby
Kids Definition
baby 1 of 3
noun
ba·by ˈbā-bē
plural babies
1
: a very young child
2
: a very young animal
3
: the youngest of a group
4
: a childish person
"After all, Meg, we aren't … kids any more. Why do you always act like such a baby?" Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time
Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Timebaby
2 of 3adjective
1
: young entry 1 sense 1
a baby deer
2
: very small
Take baby steps.
baby
3 of 3verb
babied; babying
: to treat as a baby : to be too kind to
I'm 15. Stop babying me.
Medical Definition
baby
noun
ba·by ˈbā-bē
plural babies
1
: an extremely young child
especially : infant
2
: an extremely young animal
baby 1 of 3
noun
1
as in child
a recently born person the baby is just learning to sit up, so be careful Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- child
- infant
- newborn
- toddler
- kid
- boy
- neonate
- babe
- bambino
- girl
- cherub
- kiddo
- preemie
- suckling
- foundling
- nursling
- tyke
- moppet
- premie
- youngster
- kiddie
- tot
- juvenile
- bantling
- nipper
- minor
- tike
- youngling
- kiddy
- urchin
- youth
- whippersnapper
- imp
- squirt
- tomboy
- tad
- hoyden
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- adult
- senior citizen
- grown-up
- elder
- oldster
- senior
- graybeard
- old-timer
2
as in person
a member of the human race I don't care what you want, there'll be no more work for this baby today Synonyms & Similar Words
- person
- man
- life
- guy
- creature
- bird
- human
- fish
- body
- duck
- soul
- thing
- individual
- being
- egg
- party
- customer
- bod
- mortal
- scout
- cookie
- specimen
- wight
- devil
- sort
- character
- personality
- human being
- face
- brother
- son of man
- stiff
- cooky
- personage
- head
- fellow
- homo
- slob
- neighbor
- somebody
- self
- hominid
- celebrity
- humanoid
- fellowman
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- animal
- beast
- critter
- brute
- beastie
3
as in success
a successful result brought about by hard work a small film that was a labor of love and the baby that the director was proudest of Synonyms & Similar Words
- success
- accomplishment
- achievement
- miracle
- attainment
- coup
- triumph
- acquirement
- hit
- victory
- arrival
- win
- feat
- conquest
- performance
- realization
- gain
- a feather in one's cap
- blockbuster
- winner
- jackpot
- skill
- implementation
- execution
- deed
- megahit
- completion
- fulfillment
- smash
- fruition
- fulfilment
- consummation
- culmination
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- mess
- nonachievement
- disaster
- bust
- catastrophe
- failure
- flop
- muddle
- loss
- shambles
- washout
- dud
- botch
- fiasco
- bummer
- disappointment
- letdown
- debacle
- fizzle
- cock-up
- setback
- débâcle
4
as in screamer
a person who makes frequent complaints usually about little things don't be such a baby—the shot didn't hurt that much Synonyms & Similar Words
- screamer
- crab
- complainer
- sniveler
- crybaby
- weeper
- fussbudget
- kvetcher
- fusspot
- bellyacher
- wailer
- whiner
- bawler
- fusser
- squawker
- bleater
- kvetch
- griper
- grumbler
- moaner
- grump
- malcontent
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- happy camper
baby
2 of 3verb
as in to nurse
to treat with great or excessive care he babied his car, faithfully washing it every week if you baby him he'll never learn to take care of himself Synonyms & Similar Words
- nurse
- spoil
- mother
- dandle
- pamper
- indulge
- mollycoddle
- cosset
- cocker
- please
- coddle
- wet-nurse
- delight
- appease
- satisfy
- humor
- content
- cater (to)
- soothe
- placate
- gratify
- oblige
- gladden
- pacify
- mollify
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- control
- abuse
- mistreat
- maltreat
- discipline
- manhandle
- restrain
- misuse
- hurt
- neglect
- ill-treat
- ill-use
- harm
- slight
- molest
- outrage
- torture
- mishandle
- oppress
- torment
- violate
- injure
- victimize
- overlook
- harass
- persecute
- oppress
baby
3 of 3adjective
as in mini
Synonyms & Similar Words
- mini
- pygmy
- petite
- dwarf
- wee
- model
- micro
- elfin
- little
- teeny
- tiny
- smallish
- pocket
- miniature
- small
- diminutive
- bitty
- minikin
- teensy
- half-pint
- atomic
- bitsy
- pocket-sized
- weeny
- microscopic
- itty-bitty
- pocket-size
- dinky
- itsy-bitsy
- infinitesimal
- little bitty
- microminiature
- teeny-weeny
- minuscule
- weensy
- pint-sized
- dwarfish
- teensy-weensy
- microscopical
- pint-size
- Lilliputian
- puny
- undersized
- minute
- scrubby
- insignificant
- undersize
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- monster
- giant
- cosmic
- mammoth
- planetary
- huge
- gigantic
- big
- massive
- enormous
- heroic
- titanic
- monumental
- monstrous
- large
- elephantine
- great
- astronomical
- tremendous
- prodigious
- colossal
- grand
- mountainous
- good
- major
- handsome
- gross
- immense
- substantial
- super
- astronomic
- bulky
- bumper
- cosmical
- oversized
- jumbo
- heroical
- extensive
- overgrown
- considerable
- herculean
- sizable
- sizeable
- oversize
- goodly
- whopping
- outsize
- outsized
- hulking
- hefty
- largish
- majestic
- imposing
- monolithic
- staggering
- lofty
- formidable
- king-size
- whacking
- towering
- stupendous
- grandiose
- king-sized
- infinite
- overscale
- overscaled
- vast
- voluminous
- boundless
- cavernous
- immeasurable
- vasty
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of baby are humor, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, and spoil. While all these words mean "to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings," baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude.
babying students by grading too easily
The synonyms humor and baby are sometimes interchangeable, but humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims.
humored him by letting him tell the story
The words indulge and baby can be used in similar contexts, but indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires.
indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse
The words mollycoddle and baby are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare.
refused to mollycoddle her malingering son
In some situations, the words pamper and baby are roughly equivalent. However, pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect.
pampered by the amenities of modern living
The meanings of spoil and baby largely overlap; however, spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering.
foolish parents spoil their children