child
A1 (Extremely High Frequency)Neutral (used across all registers from formal to informal)
Definition
Meaning
A young human being below the age of puberty or below the legal age of majority.
A son or daughter of any age; a descendant; an immature or irresponsible person; a person strongly influenced by a particular time, place, or situation (e.g., 'child of the 90s', 'a child of nature'). In computing, an object or process derived from another.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The plural 'children' is irregular. 'Child' can refer to a very young infant (baby/child) or an older child up to adolescence. The term often implies a relationship of dependency, innocence, or lack of full development. Context heavily influences whether it is used biologically, legally, or metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. In British English, 'child' is sometimes used more specifically in legal/medical contexts (e.g., 'The Children Act'). In US English, the phrase 'child support' is more prevalent. The word 'kid' is more common in informal American English than in British English, where 'child' remains frequent in informal speech.
Connotations
Largely identical. Both carry connotations of youth, dependency, and potential. 'Child' is slightly more formal than 'kid' in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely high in both. Informal American English shows a higher relative frequency of 'kid' as a synonym.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
child of [noun] (e.g., child of divorce)child to [noun] (formal, e.g., he was like a child to her)child with [attribute] (e.g., a child with autism)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Child's play (very easy)”
- “Poster child (a perfect example)”
- “With child (archaic/pregnant)”
- “Don't be a child! (act maturely)”
- “Inner child (one's original or true self)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in HR contexts (e.g., 'childcare benefits', 'parental leave').
Academic
Common in psychology, sociology, law, and education (e.g., 'child cognition', 'the rights of the child').
Everyday
Extremely common in all conversations about family, school, and development.
Technical
Used in law (legal minor), medicine (paediatrics), and computing (child process, child node).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (to child) - Extremely rare/archaic. Not used in modern English.
American English
- (to child) - Extremely rare/archaic. Not used in modern English.
adverb
British English
- (childly) - Obsolete. Not used.
American English
- (childly) - Obsolete. Not used.
adjective
British English
- (child) - Only in compounds: child labour, child safety seat.
American English
- (child) - Only in compounds: child labor, child-proof cap.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child is playing with a ball.
- They have two children.
- Be careful, that toy is not for a small child.
- Every child deserves access to education.
- Her inner child still loves cartoons.
- Managing a classroom of thirty children is challenging.
- The policy aims to protect the most vulnerable children in society.
- He's a child of the digital age, completely tech-savvy.
- The film explores the complex relationship between parent and child.
- The study tracks cognitive development from infancy through childhood.
- As a child of immigrants, she navigated two distinct cultural worlds.
- The legal doctrine of 'in loco parentis' applies to schools acting in place of a child's parents.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'chilled' baby needing care – the 'i' in child is long like a child's cry 'I!'
Conceptual Metaphor
BEGINNING IS A CHILD (e.g., 'the child of an idea'), INEXPERIENCE IS CHILDLIKE, SIMPLICITY IS CHILD'S PLAY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Russian 'ребёнок' covers 'baby' and 'child', while English often distinguishes them by age. 'Child' is broader. Avoid using 'children' for adult 'children' in contexts where Russian would use 'дети' (e.g., 'My children are 35 and 40' – correct in English, but the Russian equivalent can sound odd).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect plural: 'childs' (correct: children). Overusing 'kid' in formal writing. Confusing 'childish' (negative) with 'childlike' (positive).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase uses 'child' metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The correct plural is 'children'. 'Childs' is always incorrect.
'Childish' is negative, meaning immature or silly. 'Childlike' is positive, suggesting innocent wonder or trust, like a child.
It varies by context. Biologically, around puberty. Legally, it's often 18 (the age of majority), though terms like 'young adult' or 'teenager' are used for adolescents.
Yes, 'kid' is informal. Use 'child' in formal, academic, or legal writing. 'Kid' is very common in casual American and British speech.
Collections
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Family Members
A1 · 44 words · Words for family, people and relationships at home.