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child
/t͡ʃaɪld/
The word 'child' is a common noun. It is countable, meaning you can have one child, two children, etc. The plural form is 'children'. It is generally used to refer to individuals from birth up to the onset of puberty, or sometimes up to the age of 18 (the legal age of majority in many places). When used metaphorically, as in 'a child of the city', it means someone strongly associated with or shaped by that place. Be aware that in some informal contexts, 'kid' is often used as a synonym for 'child', but 'child' is generally considered more formal and suitable for all situations.
💬Casual Conversation
DAVID YOU ARE STILL MY CHILD NO MATTER HOW OLD YOU GET.
Mom please, I'm literally in a sync with the VPs right now.
Meanings
Examples
The child needs supervision.
She is my child, no matter how old she gets!
Stop acting like a spoiled child and listen to me!
This novel is my child, but it's still not ready.
I can't believe he's such a big child at forty!
Wait, is that your child over there by the fountain?
You're just a child playing at being an adult, honey.
The child is sleeping, so please keep it down!
Collocations & Compounds
child abuse
The physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment of a child.
We must protect child victims from further harm.
child development
The process of growth and change in children.
Understanding child development is key for parents.
child labor
The employment of children below a minimum age.
The company has a strict policy against child labor.
child prodigy
A person under the age of ten who has the abilities of an adult.
The young pianist was a true child prodigy.
child welfare
The wellbeing and protection of children.
Government agencies oversee child welfare services.
Idioms & Sayings
a chip off the old block
A person who is very similar in character to their father or mother.
He's just like his dad, a real child of the old block.
like a child
In a manner that is immature or childish.
Stop complaining like a child.
child's play
Something very easy to do.
For him, solving that puzzle was child's play.
the child is father to the man
One's character is shaped in childhood.
His early experiences prove the saying: the child is father to the man.
Cultural Context
In the realm of modern psychology, specifically within the framework of Transactional Analysis and depth psychology, there is a captivating concept known as the "inner child." This theory posits that every adult carries within them a psychological sub-personality—a metaphorical child—that retains the emotions, memories, and traumas experienced during their early formative years. When we speak of someone being a "big child," we are often observing this inner child manifesting in their adult behavior, whether through spontaneous joy or irrational outbursts.
The inner child is not merely a nostalgic memory but a living emotional blueprint. For those who had supportive childhoods, the inner child represents a source of creativity, curiosity, and an uninhibited zest for life. However, for those who experienced neglect or trauma, the "wounded child" can dictate adult reactions. A sudden, overwhelming feeling of inadequacy in a boardroom meeting might not be a reflection of professional failure, but rather the wounded child reacting to a perceived rejection that mirrors a childhood experience.
Healing this aspect of the psyche involves a process called "re-parenting." This is the act of an adult consciously providing the validation, safety, and love to their inner child that they may have lacked in reality. By acknowledging the needs of the child within, individuals can move from reactive emotional states to proactive, conscious living. It is a profound journey of integration, recognizing that we are not just the polished adults the world sees, but a complex layering of every version of ourselves we have ever been.
Ultimately, embracing the inner child allows us to reclaim the qualities that often vanish in adulthood: the ability to wonder, the courage to be vulnerable, and the capacity for pure, uncomplicated happiness. By bridging the gap between our mature self and our childhood essence, we achieve a wholeness that makes us more empathetic, resilient, and authentically human.
Etymology
The word 'child' has deep roots in the Proto-Germanic language, stemming from the word 'kheldaz'. This, in turn, is believed to derive from a Proto-Indo-European root 'kelh₂-', possibly meaning 'to protect' or 'to nourish'. This connection suggests an ancient conceptualization of a child as someone needing care and protection. The word evolved through Old English as 'cild', retaining a similar sound and meaning. In Germanic languages, cognates like German 'Kind' and Dutch 'kind' show a shared linguistic heritage. The spelling and pronunciation have remained remarkably stable over centuries, making 'child' one of the more consistent words in the English lexicon. Its core meaning has always referred to a young human being, a testament to the universal and enduring nature of this life stage.