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Definition of child

child

/ˈtʃaɪld/
child
Plural:children
•
Adjective:childish
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child Lexical Profile

child Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A young human being below the age of puberty or below the legal age of majority.

Example

"Every child in the neighborhood attended the local elementary school."

2

A son or daughter of any age in relation to their parents.

Example

"Even though her youngest child is now forty, she still worries about him."

3

An adolescent or adult who behaves in an immature, inexperienced, or irresponsible manner.

Example

"He acted like a spoiled child when the committee rejected his proposal."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for child
Antonyms
View all antonyms for child

Word Nuance & Usage

The related adjectives 'childish' and 'childlike' carry distinct connotations: 'childish' is usually pejorative, suggesting immaturity in an adult, whereas 'childlike' is positive, evoking innocence, wonder, or trust.

• Rhymes for child

• Nearby Words

chilblain
chilcotin
chilcotin river
child
childbearing
childbirth
childcare

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'cild', meaning a fetus, infant, or unborn or newly born person, of Proto-Germanic origin and related to Gothic 'kilþei' (womb).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Child. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/child
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