baby
baby
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "baby" is /ˈbeɪbi/.
Bay /beɪ/ - b /b/, ay /eɪ/
by /bi/ - b /b/, y /i/
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: baby
Plural Noun: babies
Verb (base form): baby
Verb (third-person singular present): babies
Verb (present participle): babying
Verb (past tense/past participle): babied
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A very young human being, especially one newly born or still in infancy.
Synonyms: infant, newborn, tot, tyke
Antonyms: adult, elder, grown-up
Definition 2: (Informal, often used as a term of endearment) A beloved person, animal, or thing.
Synonyms: darling, sweetheart, dear, love, pet
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, generally no direct antonyms for terms of endearment)
Definition 3: (Slang) Something that requires a great deal of care, attention, or effort to maintain or operate.
Synonyms: project, challenge, endeavor, responsibility
Antonyms: cinch, breeze, no-brainer
Verb
Definition 1: To treat someone with excessive care, tenderness, or protectiveness, often to the point of spoiling them or hindering their independence.
Synonyms: coddle, pamper, spoil, indulge, mollycoddle
Antonyms: neglect, abandon, toughen, challenge
Adjective
Definition 1: Of a small or miniature version; young or immature.
Synonyms: tiny, miniature, small, fledgling, nascent
Antonyms: enormous, giant, mature, developed, adult
Definition 2: Relating to or designed for infants.
Synonyms: infant, infantile, juvenile
Antonyms: adult, grown-up
Examples of Use
Books:
"They would have to put the baby in another room soon, as her cries were starting to wake the neighbors." (From The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, 1984)
"Every night, I would rock the baby to sleep, singing lullabies until my voice grew hoarse." (From Educated by Tara Westover, 2018)
Newspapers:
"Local hospital welcomes record number of baby births in May." (The Daily Nation)
"The government has announced new initiatives to support families with young babies, including extended parental leave." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"How to choose the best car seat for your baby's safety." (Parents.com)
"Scientists discover new insights into baby brain development during the first year of life." (ScienceDaily.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Music: "Baby, baby, baby, oh, like baby, baby, baby, no..." (Lyrics from "Baby" by Justin Bieber featuring Ludacris, 2010)
Film: "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." (Dialogue from Dirty Dancing, 1987)
Television: "The baby Yoda meme quickly became a cultural phenomenon after the debut of The Mandalorian." (Discussion on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, November 2019)
Podcasts: "In this week's episode, we discuss the challenges of traveling with a newborn baby." (The Parenting Podcast, Episode 72, June 2025)
Social Media: "Just met my new little niece! She's the cutest baby ever! #auntlife #newborn" (Instagram post by @sarah_loves_life, April 3, 2025)
General Public Discourse:
"My car is my baby; I spend hours every weekend cleaning and waxing it." (Conversation between friends)
"Be careful with that delicate antique vase – it's my grandmother's baby." (Warning from a family member)
"Oh, come on, baby! You can do it!" (Encouragement from a coach to a player during a sports game)
10 Famous Quotes Using Baby
"Nobody puts Baby in a corner." (Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing, 1987)
"Baby, baby, baby, oh, like baby, baby, baby, no..." (Justin Bieber, "Baby," 2010)
"I got a baby and a hot rod." (Bruce Springsteen, "Thunder Road," 1975)
"You ain't nothing but a hound dog, cryin' all the time. You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine." (Often misheard as "You ain't nothing but a baby dog..." but the original is "hound dog" - Elvis Presley, "Hound Dog," 1956 - This quote is included for its widespread, though often mistaken, association with "baby")
"A baby fills a place in your heart you never knew was empty." (Unknown)
"Sleep, my little baby, sleep. The world is waiting for you." (Traditional Lullaby)
"I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse." (Often rephrased as "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse, baby" in popular culture, but the original lacks "baby" - Vito Corleone in The Godfather, 1972 - Included due to common metaphorical use and association)
"Rock-a-bye baby, in the treetop, when the wind blows, the cradle will rock." (Traditional Nursery Rhyme, "Rock-a-bye Baby")
"Every new baby is a new beginning." (Oprah Winfrey, though exact source and date vary)
"Life's a baby, and you're the mama." (Eminem, "Mockingbird," 2004)
Etymology
The word "baby" comes from the older English word "babe." Think of "baby" as a "little babe." It's like adding a small, affectionate ending ("-y") to "babe" to make it sound even more endearing, just like how "dog" might become "doggy."
The origin of "babe" itself is thought to be an imitation of the sounds babies make – those "ba-ba" or "ma-ma" sounds. Many languages have similar words for babies or parents that seem to come from these simple, early vocalizations.
The first known use of "baby" in writing, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, was around 1400. At that time, its main meaning was a very young child, especially one who couldn't walk yet and needed constant care, essentially what we now think of as an infant. It could also refer to an unborn child. Interestingly, it sometimes used to refer to a child of any age, but that meaning is now obsolete.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Baby
Baby steps: Taking small, cautious actions towards a goal.
Throw the baby out with the bathwater: To discard something valuable along with something undesirable.
Like a baby: To cry or sleep very deeply.
Baby blues: A period of sadness and mood swings in new mothers, usually shortly after childbirth.
Baby boomer: A person born during the baby boom following World War II (roughly 1946-1964).
Baby face: A youthful appearance, often with soft features.
Baby fat: Excess body fat in a child that is typically lost as they grow older.
Baby shower: A party held to celebrate the impending birth of a baby.
Baby talk: The simplified, often cooing language used when speaking to infants.
My baby: (Informal) A term of endearment for a beloved person or cherished possession (e.g., "my car is my baby").
Baby's breath: A common delicate flower often used in bouquets.
To baby-sit: To take care of children while their parents are away.
To baby someone/something along: To gently or carefully guide or develop something.
As helpless as a newborn: Extremely vulnerable or dependent. (Using a synonym for similar effect)
A darling project: A project that is highly valued and carefully nurtured. (Using a synonym for similar effect)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of baby from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
