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child

noun, often attributive \ˈchī(-ə)ld\

: a young person

: a son or daughter

: an adult who acts like a child : a childlike or childish person

plural chil·dren \ˈchil-drən, -dərn\

Full Definition of CHILD

1
a :  an unborn or recently born person
b dial :  a female infant
2
a :  a young person especially between infancy and youth
b :  a childlike or childish person
c :  a person not yet of age
3
usually childe \ˈchī(-ə)ld\ archaic :  a youth of noble birth
4
a :  a son or daughter of human parents
b :  descendant
5
:  one strongly influenced by another or by a place or state of affairs
6
:  product, result <barbed wire … is truly a child of the plains — W. P. Webb>
— child·less \ˈchī(-ə)l(d)-ləs\ adjective
— child·less·ness noun
— with child
:  pregnant
See child defined for English-language learners
See child defined for kids
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Origin of CHILD

Middle English, from Old English cild; akin to Gothic kilthei womb, and perhaps to Sanskrit jaṭhara belly
First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to CHILD

Synonyms
bairn [chiefly Scottish], bambino, bud, chap [Southern & Midland], chick, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie (also kiddy), kiddo, moppet, sprat, sprout, squirt, whelp, youngling, youngster, youth
Antonyms
adult, grown-up

Rhymes with CHILD

piled, wild

Child

biographical name \ˈchī(-ə)ld\

Definition of CHILD

Francis James 1825–1896 Am. ballad editor

Child

biographical name

Definition of CHILD

Julia (Carolyn) 1912–2004 née McWilliams Am. chef
CHILD Defined for Kids

child

noun \ˈchīld\
plural chil·dren \ˈchil-drən\

Definition of CHILD for Kids

1
:  an unborn or recently born person
2
:  a young person of either sex between infancy and youth
3
:  a son or daughter of any age <My children are grown now.>
Medical Dictionary

child

noun \ˈchī(ə)ld\
plural chil·dren \ˈchil-drən, -dərn\

Medical Definition of CHILD

1
:  an unborn or recently born person
2
:  a young person especially between infancy and youth
—with child
:  pregnant

Learn More About CHILD

Browse

34 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. child
  2. child benefit
  3. child-centered
  4. child-free
  5. child labor
  6. child-rearing
  7. child support
  8. child welfare
  9. child's play
  10. battered child syndrome
  11. boomerang child
  12. by-child
  13. chance child
  14. chrisom child
  15. christom child
  16. door-key child
  17. elf child
  18. flower child
  19. girl-child
  20. inner child
  21. lap child
  22. latchkey child
  23. love child
  24. man-child
  25. natural child
  26. nurse-child
  27. poster child
  28. stubborn child
  29. wayward child
  30. well-child clinic
Next Word in the Dictionary: childbearingPrevious Word in the Dictionary: ChilcotinAll Words Near: child
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