kiddo

[kid-oh]

noun

plural

kiddos, kiddoes 

1. Informal.,  (used as a familiar form of address.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of kiddo¹

First recorded in 1880–85; kid ¹ + -o

Example Sentences

“You’re done you sorry fascist scumbag, hope you get held accountable for the bulls— that yiu e spread. Justice is in the horizon kiddo,” Peabody’s direct message read.

From Los Angeles Times

When Sparks coach Lynne Roberts first told Barker she’d be starting, the message was short and direct: “Hey kiddo, you’re going to be starting. I believe in you. I have confidence in you. I trust you.”

From Los Angeles Times

Then he announced he had a surprise for the kiddo he had nicknamed “Big Ben,” thanks to a sonogram picture he saw where the baby was the same length as a wristwatch.

From Los Angeles Times

Eddie Murphy has a new baby on the way, and this kiddo will be his 10th child.

From Los Angeles Times

“If you’re in the grocery store and you’ve got a kiddo in the cart, and you’re trying to go up and down the aisles and check out, what is the feasibility of actually making that work?” said Jaclyn Bowen, executive director of the Clean Label Project, an organization that certifies baby foods as having low levels of toxins.

From Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What does kiddo mean?

Kiddo is an informal way to refer to or address a child or a person who’s younger than the speaker. It can be used for a person of any gender.It's typically intended to imply familiarity or affection. It's especially used as a familiar way to address one's own child or grandchild.Kiddo is most often used in greetings or friendly speech, as in Hey there, kiddo or We’ll get ’em next time, kiddo.    Kiddo is also often used as a more informal synonym for kid, as in Grandpa is spending time with the kiddos down at the lake. Kiddo can sometimes be used to imply that a person is inexperienced or lacks wisdom, as in Look, kiddo, leave this one to the professionals.Example: Are you ready for the trip to Disneyland with your dad, kiddo?