babies

nouninfant
verbtreat like a child

Synonyms for babies

noun infant

Antonyms for babies

Word Origin & History

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.

Example Sentences for babies

"But I must get back to my babies," said Mrs. Bines, plaintively.

She, carrying the babies, drugged with paregoric, in a basket on her arm.

Babies are common enough to most folks, but Lovey was diff'rent.

Never a village fool without a troop of babies at his heels.

My children, my babies, my little dolls, you are all afraid of him.

She is a demon now, and the pest of married women and their babies.'

I knew they were babies, although I had never seen a baby before.

But Henry did not know what women do when they first see their babies.

There will soon be no babies for you to instruct either in materialism or socialism.

Still, there's the child Lalie and she has two babies to look after.

babies

Synonyms for babies

Antonyms for babies

More words related to babies

young