# baby

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbeɪ̯.bi/ · frequency rank #547

## Definitions
1. A very young human, particularly from birth to a couple of years old or until walking is fully mastered.
2. A very young human, even if not yet born.
3. Any very young animal, especially a vertebrate; many species have specific names for their babies, such as kittens for the babies of cats, puppies for the babies of dogs, and chicks for the babies of birds. See :Category:Baby animals for more.
4. A person who is immature, infantile, or feeble.
5. A person who is new to or inexperienced in something.
6. The lastborn of a family; the youngest sibling, irrespective of age.
7. A person's romantic partner; a term of endearment used to refer to or address e.g. one's girlfriend, boyfriend, or spouse.
8. A form of address to a person considered to be attractive.
9. A concept or creation endeared by its creator.
10. A pet project or responsibility.
11. An affectionate term for anything.
12. A small image of an infant; a doll.
13. One who is new to an identity or community.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰā-
Proto-Germanic *bō-redup.
Proto-Germanic *babô
Proto-West Germanic *babō
Old English *baba
Middle English babe
Old English -iġ
Middle English -y
Middle English baby
English baby
From Middle English baby, babie (“baby”), a diminutive form of babe (“babe, baby”), equivalent to babe + -y/-ie (“endearing and diminutive suffix”). Perhaps ultimately imitative of baby talk (compare babble).

## Easily confused with
- **by** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-by)
- **BB** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bb)
- **bad** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bad)
- **buy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-buy)
- **boy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-boy)
- **bar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bar)
- **bag** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bag)
- **bay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bay)
- **bob** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bob)
- **BBC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bbc)
- **ban** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-ban)
- **bat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bat)
- **BBQ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bbq)
- **bam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bam)
- **BAE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bae)
- **bey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bey)
- **Bas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bas)
- **bai** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bai)
- **BBW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bbw)
- **bal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/baby-vs-bal)

## Common misspellings (5)
`babby`, `babyy`, `bayb`, `bbaby`, `bbay`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/baby