Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

baby

[bey-bee]
See more synonyms for baby on Thesaurus.com
noun, plural ba·bies.
  1. an infant or very young child.
  2. a newborn or very young animal.
  3. the youngest member of a family, group, etc.
  4. an immature or childish person.
  5. a human fetus.
  6. Informal.
    1. Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive.a girl or woman, especially an attractive one.
    2. a person of whom one is deeply fond; sweetheart.
    3. (sometimes initial capital letter)an affectionate or familiar address (sometimes offensive when used to strangers, casual acquaintances, subordinates, etc., especially by a male to a female).
    4. a man or boy; chap; fellow: He's a tough baby to have to deal with.
    5. an invention, creation, project, or the like that requires one's special attention or expertise or of which one is especially proud.
    6. an object; thing: Is that car there your baby?
Show More
adjective
  1. of or suitable for a baby: baby clothes.
  2. of or like a baby; infantile: baby skin.
  3. small; comparatively little: a baby car.
  4. treating babies: a baby doctor.
Show More
verb (used with object), ba·bied, ba·by·ing.
  1. to treat like a young child; pamper.
  2. to handle or use with special care; treat gently.
Show More

Origin of baby

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at babe, -y2
Related formsba·by·hood, nounba·by·ish, adjectiveba·by·ish·ly, adverbba·by·ish·ness, nounba·by·like, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for baby on Thesaurus.com
10. indulge, spoil, humor, coddle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for babied

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • Had she dared, she would have babied Martin to an even greater extent than she did.

    The Wall Between

    Sara Ware Bassett

  • We babied him abominably—he was, for two years, the only subject we had for such malpractice.

    Modern Essays

    John Macy

  • Why I'm just beginning to feel like myself; I see how it is, I've been petted and babied too long.

    Little Wolf

    M. A. Cornelius

  • When his feet got well—I had toadied and babied him so—he was plum ruined.

    The Outlet

    Andy Adams

  • Harriet insisted that she did not wish to be "babied," but, the guardian was firm.

British Dictionary definitions for babied

baby

noun plural -bies
    1. a newborn or recently born child; infant
    2. (as modifier)baby food
  2. an unborn child; fetus
  3. the youngest or smallest of a family or group
    1. a newborn or recently born animal
    2. (as modifier)baby rabbits
  5. usually derogatory an immature person
  6. slang a young woman or sweetheart: often used as a term of address expressing affection
  7. a project of personal concern
  8. be left holding the baby to be left with the responsibility
  9. throw the baby out with the bath water to lose the essential element by indiscriminate rejection
Show More
adjective
  1. (prenominal) comparatively small of its typea baby car
Show More
verb -bies, -bying or -bied (tr)
  1. to treat with love and attention
  2. to treat (someone) like a baby; pamper or overprotect
Show More
Derived Formsbabyhood, nounbabyish, adjective

Word Origin

C14: probably childish reduplication; compare mama, papa 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for babied

baby

n.

late 14c., babi, diminutive of baban (see babe + -y (3)). Meaning "childish adult person" is from c.1600. Meaning "youngest of a group" is from 1897. As a term of endearment for one's lover it is attested perhaps as early as 1839, certainly by 1901; its popularity perhaps boosted by baby vamp "a popular girl," student slang from c.1922. As an adjective, by 1750.

Baby food is from 1833. Baby blues for "blue eyes" recorded by 1892 (the phrase also was used for "postpartum depression" 1950s-60s). To empty the baby out with the bath (water) is first recorded 1909 in G.B. Shaw (cf. German das Kind mit dem Bade ausschütten). Baby's breath (noted for sweet smell, which also was supposed to attract cats) as a type of flower is from 1897. French bébé (19c.) is from English.

Show More

baby

v.

"to treat like a baby," 1742, from baby (n.). Related: Babied; babying.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
babied in Medicine

baby

(bā′bē)
n.
  1. A very young child; an infant.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Idioms and Phrases with babied

baby

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.