A1 noun Neutral #2,259 most common

child

/tʃaɪld/

A young human being below the age of puberty or the legal age of majority. It can also refer to a son or daughter of any age in relation to their parents.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The child is playing with a toy car on the floor.

The young person is using a toy car to play on the ground.

2

Each child must be accompanied by an adult during the tour.

Every young person needs a grown-up with them for the visit.

3

Is your child excited about the birthday party?

Is your kid happy and waiting for the birthday celebration?

Word Family

Noun
child
Adverb
childishly
Adjective
childish
Related
childhood
💡

Memory Tip

Remember that a CHILD is a Cute Human Individual Learning Daily.

Quick Quiz

The ___ is sleeping in the stroller.

Correct!

The correct answer is: child

Examples

1

The child is playing with a toy car on the floor.

everyday

The young person is using a toy car to play on the ground.

2

Each child must be accompanied by an adult during the tour.

formal

Every young person needs a grown-up with them for the visit.

3

Is your child excited about the birthday party?

informal

Is your kid happy and waiting for the birthday celebration?

4

The study analyzes child behavior in social environments.

academic

The research looks at how young people act in groups.

5

Our insurance policy provides coverage for every child in the family.

business

The company agreement pays for the health of all the kids in the home.

Word Family

Noun
child
Adverb
childishly
Adjective
childish
Related
childhood

Common Collocations

only child a person with no brothers or sisters
raise a child to care for and educate a child until they are grown
young child a small person who is not yet an adolescent
child care the service of looking after children
have a child to give birth to or become a parent to a child

Common Phrases

child's play

a very easy task to complete

with child

an old-fashioned way to say pregnant

child at heart

an adult who still thinks and acts like a child

Often Confused With

child vs children

Children is the plural form; you use 'child' for one person and 'children' for two or more.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'child' for neutral or formal situations; 'kid' is much more common in spoken, informal English.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often say 'childs' when they want to talk about more than one person, but the correct plural is 'children'.

💡

Memory Tip

Remember that a CHILD is a Cute Human Individual Learning Daily.

📖

Word Origin

From the Old English word 'cild', which is related to the word for womb.

Grammar Patterns

Irregular plural: children Countable noun Can be used for both genders
🌍

Cultural Context

In many English-speaking countries, a person is legally considered a child until they reach the age of 18.

Quick Quiz

The ___ is sleeping in the stroller.

Correct!

The correct answer is: child

More Family words

father

A1

A father is a male parent of a child. This term describes both the biological relationship and the social role of a man who raises and cares for his children.

dad

A1

An informal and affectionate name for a father, used primarily by children or within a family context. It refers to a male parent who provides care and support for his offspring.

mother

A1

A female parent who has given birth to or raised a child. It is also used more broadly to describe a woman who provides care, protection, and support to another person.

son

A1

A male child or man in relation to his parents. It is a fundamental kinship term used to describe a direct male descendant in a family.

sister

A1

A sister is a girl or woman who shares the same parents as another person. It can also refer to a woman who shares one parent or someone who is very close like a family member.

twin

A1

A twin is one of two children born at the same time to the same mother. It can also refer to one of two things that are exactly the same or very similar.

baby

A1

A baby is a very young human being, typically from birth until they start to walk. It is a general term for an infant who requires complete care and attention from adults.

toddler

A1

A young child who is just beginning to walk, typically between the ages of one and three. This term describes the developmental stage between infancy and the start of preschool.

adult

A1

A person who is fully grown and developed, typically someone who is 18 years of age or older. It is used to distinguish a mature individual from a child or a teenager.

wife

A1

A wife is a female partner in a marriage. It refers to a woman who is legally or formally joined to another person in a marital relationship.

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