babies
babies — noun
1. very young children, especially ones who are not yet walking or talking; the plu
very young children, especially ones who are not yet walking or talking; the plural form of baby
The clinic weighed the babies before the mothers went home.
the babies + plural verb in a care routine
Two babies slept side by side in the hospital nursery.
At the picnic, the babies stayed under a large sun tent.
The babies wore matching yellow hats during the family photo.
文法句型
the babies + plural verb
two / three babies
babies + in / at + place
用法筆記
This plural form usually refers to very young children and takes a plural verb. It often appears with numbers, age details, sleeping, feeding, and childcare routines.
常見錯誤
2. very young animals; the plural form of baby when talking about animals
very young animals; the plural form of baby when talking about animals
The puppies were still babies when Tendai first adopted them.
be still babies for very young animals
At feeding time, the zoo keeper carried the babies in a basket.
The babies stayed close to the mare during the cold morning.
After the rescue, the babies slept under a heat lamp all night.
文法句型
the babies + plural verb
babies + with + mother
babies + in / under + place
用法筆記
This sense is common in everyday speech about pets, farm animals, and wildlife. In more specific contexts, speakers often use the exact young-animal word such as puppy, foal, or cub.
常見錯誤
3. people who cry, complain, or react in a childish way when they should behave mor
people who cry, complain, or react in a childish way when they should behave more calmly
The hikers were babies about the rain and wanted to turn back.
be babies about + problem
Stop being babies and carry the chairs inside before dinner.
Mert called the team babies when they complained about the early practice.
The teenagers acted like babies after losing the table tennis match.
文法句型
be babies about + problem
stop being babies
act like babies
用法筆記
This use is informal and usually critical. It suggests that the people are overreacting, whining, or expecting too much comfort.
常見錯誤
4. the youngest or least experienced members of a family, team, class, or other gro
the youngest or least experienced members of a family, team, class, or other group
Jonas and Mei were the babies on the research team, fresh out of university.
the babies on + team for youngest members
The twins were the babies of the choir, both only eleven years old.
In the office, the summer interns were the babies of the department.
In medical school, Aylin and Jason were the babies in their study group.
- youngest members
neutral phrase without the informal tone of babies
- newcomers
focuses on recent arrival rather than age
文法句型
the babies of + group
be the babies in + group
用法筆記
This sense often appears jokingly or affectionately. It can refer to age, but it may also point to the newest or least experienced people in a group.
5. a loving word used when speaking to a husband, wife, partner, or another person
a loving word used when speaking to a husband, wife, partner, or another person you feel close to
Before leaving for work, Faisal kissed his wife and said, 'See you, baby.'
direct address with baby
Tamar smiled when her girlfriend texted, 'Good luck, baby.'
At the station, the singer waved and shouted, 'Love you, babies!'
The old couple still call each other baby after forty years together.
- darling
more traditional and often slightly gentler in tone
- sweetheart
warm and affectionate, sometimes used by older speakers
- honey
common in casual spoken English, especially in American use
文法句型
call someone baby
hi / thanks, baby
love you, babies
用法筆記
This use is affectionate and intimate. In the plural, babies can be used playfully to address a friendly group, but the singular form is much more common.
常見錯誤
6. projects, ideas, or responsibilities that someone feels deeply attached to becau
projects, ideas, or responsibilities that someone feels deeply attached to because they have put a lot of effort into them
The community garden is Romi's baby, and she visits it every dawn.
be someone's baby for a cherished project
Everyone knows the school library is the principal's baby.
Those solar bikes were Daichi's babies long before the company grew.
During the meeting, Antonia defended the festival app because it was her baby.
- pet project
close match, often used for a favorite project someone gives extra attention to
- pride and joy
broader phrase for something someone is especially proud of
文法句型
be someone's baby
these babies are + possessive
用法筆記
This use is common for projects, businesses, inventions, and plans. It suggests pride, responsibility, and a strong emotional investment, not simply ownership.
常見錯誤
7. things such as cars, machines, or products that someone admires and talks about
things such as cars, machines, or products that someone admires and talks about with approval
Take a look at these babies; the shop just got the new cameras.
these babies for admired products
Christopher parked his baby beside the beach and polished the chrome.
The chef lifted the pan and said, 'This baby can feed twenty people.'
When the speakers arrived, Omar called them babies before testing the bass.
文法句型
look at this baby
these babies + arrived
call something baby
用法筆記
This sense is playful and strongly informal. Speakers use it when showing off something large, powerful, expensive, or especially pleasing.
babies — verb
1. to give someone too much care, help, or protection, as if that person were much
to give someone too much care, help, or protection, as if that person were much younger and less capable than they really are
Mayumi babies her little brother and still ties his shoes for him.
baby + person with unnecessary help
Our aunt babies Uncle Ben whenever he has a cold.
The manager babies the interns so much that they never learn.
Grandpa babies the dog and carries it upstairs every night.
文法句型
baby + person
baby + someone so much that...
refuse to baby + person
用法筆記
This verb usually suggests that the help is excessive. Distinguish it from sense 2, where the object is a thing that someone handles gently rather than a person or animal that receives overprotection.
常見錯誤
2. to handle something in an especially careful way so it stays safe, works well, a
to handle something in an especially careful way so it stays safe, works well, and does not get damaged
Tamar babies her old guitar and keeps it in a padded case.
baby + valuable object with protective storage
Mina babies those seedlings because one strong wind could break them.
The collector babies every watch before lending it to a museum.
Haruto babies his new motorbike and wipes it after every ride.
文法句型
baby + thing
baby + vehicle / instrument / plant
baby + object after buying it
用法筆記
Here the object is usually a possession, machine, instrument, or living thing that someone wants to keep in perfect condition. Distinguish it from sense 1, which is about overprotecting a person.