Baby Meaning
Baby Definition & Usage
A baby is a very young child, typically one who is not yet able to walk or talk.
Examples
- "She just had a baby boy last week."
- "The baby is crying because he's hungry."
- "They took their baby to the doctor for his check-up."
- "I can't wait to meet your new baby!"
- "The baby slept peacefully in her crib."
A 'baby' can be used as a term of affection for a romantic partner, or to refer to someone who is adored or cherished.
Examples
- "You're my baby, and I love you so much."
- "Come here, baby, let me hold you."
- "She smiled and whispered, 'Good night, baby.'"
- "He bought flowers for his baby to celebrate their anniversary."
- "They've been together for five years, and she still calls him 'baby'."
In some contexts, 'baby' can refer to the early stage of something, such as a project or an idea.
Examples
- "The company just launched its baby product, and it's already getting rave reviews."
- "This app is still in its baby stages, but it shows a lot of potential."
- "Their startup is still a baby, but it could grow quickly."
- "The baby of the family is always the center of attention."
- "He’s been working on the baby version of the software for months."
To 'baby' someone means to treat them with excessive care, attention, or indulgence, often to the point of overprotectiveness.
Examples
- "Don’t baby me, I’m fine on my own."
- "His parents still baby him even though he's an adult."
- "She’s always babied her pets, giving them treats for no reason."
- "Stop babied him, he needs to learn responsibility."
- "She babied the new puppy, giving him too much attention."
Cultural Context
The word 'baby' has evolved to have a wide variety of meanings beyond its original reference to an infant. It is commonly used as a term of endearment in romantic relationships, and can also refer to the early stages of something (like a project). The cultural significance of babies and their care is central in many societies, often symbolizing innocence, new beginnings, and emotional attachment.
The Baby Steps of Business
Story
The Baby Steps of Business
It was a bright and breezy afternoon when Mia stepped into the bustling office of her start-up. Her new venture was still in its 'baby' stage, barely a few weeks old, and she was filled with both excitement and anxiety. 'It's like having a newborn,' she said to her co-founder, Jack, who was busy typing away at his computer. 'I’m afraid it will cry or, worse, fall apart.' Jack grinned. 'You’re already babying this project, Mia. Just let it grow naturally.' But Mia was careful, perhaps too careful. She checked every detail, from the user interface to the email templates. Her team jokingly called her the 'baby whisperer,' always hovering over the product as if it were a fragile child. One evening, as they sat together in the conference room, Mia received a text from her boyfriend, Chris. 'Hey baby, how was your day?' he asked. She smiled, feeling the warmth of the term. It reminded her of simpler times, back when she could escape her worries in his arms. Her phone buzzed again. It was a notification from the app’s testing group. 'The baby version of the app crashed,' it read. Mia's heart sank. She realized she had, perhaps, babied it too much. The app needed to grow on its own. As Mia and Jack gathered their things to leave for the day, Jack put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. 'You’re doing great, Mia. But let it breathe.' The next day, Mia relaxed. She allowed the project room to evolve. And, slowly but surely, her start-up began to find its own rhythm. She learned that just like a baby, a business needs space to grow and develop on its own. And when Chris called that night, Mia answered with a smile, 'Hey baby, you’re right. Sometimes you’ve got to let things grow on their own.'
Related Words
