babe

American  

[beyb] / beɪb /

noun

1. a baby or child.

   Synonyms:

   nursling, tot, infant, toddler

2. an innocent or inexperienced person.

3. Southern U.S. Usually Babe (used, often before the surname, as a familiar name for a boy or man, especially the youngest of a family.)

4. Slang.

   1. Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive. a girl or woman, especially an attractive one.

   2. an attractive young man.

   3. Sometimes Babe an affectionate or familiar term of address (sometimes offensive when used to strangers, casual acquaintances, subordinates, etc., especially by a male to a female).

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idioms

1. babe in the woods, an innocent, unsuspecting person, especially one likely to be victimized by others: Also babe in the wood.

   Some highly informed people are mere babes in the woods where the stock market is concerned.

babe British  

/ beɪb /

noun

1. a baby

2. informal a naive, gullible, or unsuspecting person (often in the phrase a babe in arms )

3. informal a young woman or man perceived as being sexually attractive

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Etymology

Origin of babe

First recorded in 1150–1200; 1915–20 babe for def. 4; Middle English; early Middle English baban, probably nursery word in origin

Example Sentences

"She slept like a babe. But we do not sleep on the trail. If we do sleep, we may never wake up."

From Literature

“Of course, babe”—Mom glances back at me—“just not right now.”

From Literature

“Nope. Only flour and butter, babes. Any sugar was for the yeast, and they’ve done their work and eaten it all up.”

From Literature

And did I mention, there is no cooking, scrubbing, or tending to babes?

From Literature

“I’m always hot, babe,” Jones replied, continuing her blotting adventure before explaining — perhaps unnecessarily — “I’m having that menopause. That pause, that pause.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bathing beauty
• beauty queen
• cover girl
• cutie
• cutie-pie
• doll
• dollface
• fox
• glamor girl
• good-looking woman
• pin-up
• tomato