NYT Dictionary

BABY

/ˈbæɪ.bi/
NounAdjectiveVerbBA-byba-by · 2 syllablesGrade 4

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

A very young human, particularly from birth to a couple of years old or until walking is fully mastered.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰā- Proto-Germanic *bō-redup. Proto-Germanic *babô Proto-West Germanic *babō Old English *baba Middle English babe Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y Middle English baby English baby From Middle English baby, babie (“baby”), a diminutive form of babe (“babe, baby”), equivalent to babe + -y/-ie (“endearing and diminutive suffix”). Perhaps ultimately imitative of baby talk (compare babble).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

younglingbig babylovebabebabbybabbieinfantbabbabberbabe in arms

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 12 recorded puzzles:

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