baby

/ˈbeɪ.bi/

noun 14
adjective 3
verb 2
forms 9
phrases 10

noun14

•
a very young child in the first year or two of life, before it can walk or talk well
- The baby new to earth and sky, ⁠What time his tender palm is prest ⁠Against the circle of the breast, Has never thought that ‘this is I:’ […] — 1850
•
A very young human, even if not yet born.
- When is your baby due?
- Her baby had always been active, even before he was born, when he would kick her bladder.
Any very young animal, especially a vertebrate; many species have specific names for their babies, such as kittens for the babies of cats, puppies for the babies of dogs, and chicks for the babies of birds. See :Category:Baby animals for more.
•
A person's romantic partner; a term of endearment used to refer to or address e.g. one's girlfriend, boyfriend, or spouse.
- Too busy thinking about my baby, and I ain't got time for nothing else.
- Baby, don't cry.
•
The lastborn of a family; the youngest sibling, irrespective of age.
- Adam is the baby of the family.
•
A person who is immature, infantile, or feeble.
- Stand up for yourself – don't be such a baby!
•
A concept or creation endeared by its creator.
- This test program I've designed is my new baby.
•
A pet project or responsibility.
- You need to talk to John about that – it's his baby.
•
(informal) A form of address to a person considered to be attractive.
- Hey baby, what are you doing later?
•
An affectionate term for anything.
- See my new car here? I can't wait to take this baby for a drive.
•
A person who is new to or inexperienced in something.
- I only qualified as an architect this summer, so I'm still a baby.
•
[before a noun] One who is new to an identity or community.
- These more general spells and rituals can also be helpful for baby witches, who might want more time to practice before they hop into highly-specific spells. — 2020
A thing that is comparatively small of its kind.
(no longer used) A small image of an infant; a doll.

adjective3

Picked when small and immature (as in baby corn, baby potatoes).
•
Like or pertaining to a baby, in size or youth; small, young.
- Spider. Here let us begin at the beginning, at the babyest of books for Edith's nursery. — 1888
•
Newest (overall, or in some group or state); most inexperienced.
- That evening, we grouped about the fire in the parlor, a wide circle that left room for the babyest of the party to disport themselves upon the rug, in the glow of the grate piled with cannel coal. — 1910

verb2

•
To coddle; to pamper somebody like an infant.
- […] though he tried to be gruff and mature, he yielded to her and was glad to be babied. — 1922
•
To tend (something) with care; to be overly attentive to (something), fuss over.
- In the past 27 years, "Mr. Mac," as he is known to his 46,000 teammates, has built and babied his McDonnell Co. from nothing into a $1 billion-a-year corporation. — 1967

forms

babied · babying · babies · babier · baby-er · babyer · babiest · baby-est · babyest

Phrases with baby