baby
The baby is sleeping peacefully in the crib.
A very young child is resting calmly in a bed designed for infants.
A very young child, especially one newly or recently born.
She has a baby who just turned one year old.
She has a young child whose first birthday has recently passed.
The hospital has a special ward for newborn babies.
The medical facility has a dedicated area for infants who have just been delivered.
Often used affectionately or informally to refer to someone very young or inexperienced, even beyond infancy (e.g., 'baby steps').
A very young animal.
The zoo welcomed a baby elephant last week.
The zoo received a very young elephant as a recent addition.
Commonly used for offspring of animals, especially mammals.
A person who is very young or inexperienced in a particular activity.
Don’t laugh at him—he’s still a baby at programming.
Don’t mock him; he lacks experience and is new to programming.
Used humorously or affectionately to describe someone new to a skill or situation.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoiding Misuse
Do not use 'baby' to refer to adults in professional or formal contexts unless you are certain the tone is friendly and appropriate.
Gold Rule
Age Appropriateness
Reserve 'baby' for very young children or animals. For older children, use 'child,' 'toddler,' or 'kid.'
Word Origin
From Middle English 'babe' (infant), derived from Old English 'bǣb' (baby), of imitative origin, possibly from the sound of a baby's babble.
Usage Notes
The term 'baby' can be used affectionately or informally for someone older, especially in romantic contexts (e.g., 'my baby'). Avoid using it for adults in formal settings unless context is clearly friendly.