suckling: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, literary, culinary
Quick answer
What does “suckling” mean?
A young mammal that is still feeding on its mother's milk.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A young mammal that is still feeding on its mother's milk.
Something or someone that is still young, inexperienced, or in the early stages of development; also refers to a piglet specifically prepared as a dish.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties share core meanings. The culinary term 'suckling pig' is equally recognized in both. The metaphorical use for a naive person is more common in BrE literary contexts.
Connotations
In both: neutral for animals, slightly archaic/formal for humans. In BrE, 'suckling' in metaphor can carry a gentle, archaic tone. In AmE, it may sound even more literary or affected.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both varieties. Most common in the fixed phrase 'suckling pig' (culinary) and in agricultural/literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “suckling” in a Sentence
[be] a suckling[noun modifier] suckling [animal]the suckling [verb]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “suckling” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The ewe was suckling two lambs.
- He observed the cub suckling its mother.
American English
- The sow is suckling a large litter.
- The fawn was found suckling in the meadow.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use. The form is not used as an adverb.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use. The form is not used as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- They served a magnificent suckling pig at the banquet.
- The suckling lamb was tender and flavourful.
American English
- The restaurant's signature dish is roast suckling pig.
- They purchased a suckling goat for the feast.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in agriculture/ranching reports: 'The herd includes 15 sucklings.'
Academic
Used in zoology, animal husbandry, agricultural studies, and historical/literary analysis.
Everyday
Very rare except in the phrase 'suckling pig' on a menu or in cooking shows.
Technical
Precise term in veterinary science and animal production for an unweaned mammal.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “suckling”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “suckling”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “suckling”
- Using 'suckling' as a common synonym for 'baby' in modern contexts. Confusing it with 'sucking' as a verb form. Misspelling as 'suckeling'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be, but this is now archaic or poetic. In modern English, it is almost exclusively used for animals.
A suckling is still nursing on its mother's milk. A weanling has been weaned off milk and onto solid food.
Yes, the present participle of the verb 'to suckle' is 'suckling', as in 'The mother is suckling her young'.
Because the meat from a very young, milk-fed pig is exceptionally tender, mild-flavoured, and prized in various culinary traditions.
A young mammal that is still feeding on its mother's milk.
Suckling is usually formal, literary, culinary in register.
Suckling: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌk.lɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌk.lɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “suckling at the teat (literal/figurative, formal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SUCK + LING (small one). A 'suck-ling' is a small one that still sucks milk.
Conceptual Metaphor
INEXPERIENCE IS BEING UNWEANED (e.g., 'a suckling in the ways of the world').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'suckling' MOST commonly used in modern English?